Embattled amusement-park operator SeaWorld Entertainment said Thursday that the killer whales currently living at its facilities will be its last as it will stop breeding them immediately and phase out theatrical orca shows.
The move comes nearly three years after SeaWorld came under pressure for its treatment of killer whales and their trainers in the documentary Blackfish.
The company had already announced plans to end killer-whale shows at its San Diego park following regulatory scrutiny in California.
SeaWorld will turn its attention to "new, inspiring, natural orca encounters" with educational programs emphasizing enrichment, exercise and health while its killer whales are alive, CEO Joel Manby said on a conference call.
The orca shows will end at its San Diego park in 2017, while the San Antonio and Orlando parks will end the shows by 2019.
The company has been under heavy pressure from animal-rights activists, including People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and other watchdog groups, to end shows and breeding.
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"Today marks a bold and impactful shift for our company," Manby said. "The killer whale issue is a growing reason why many people don’t visit SeaWorld and this is about doing the best thing for our orcas, our guests, our ambassadors and our company."
The company, which said it has not collected any orcas from the wild in more than 40 years, said its orcas will live out their lives at SeaWorld. That includes one pregnant orca named Takara.
Despite the strategic shift, orcas are likely to live at SeaWorld for many years to come.
The average male orca life span is about 30 years, though they can live up to 60, while the average female orca life span is 50 years and they can live up to 100, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
But a 1995 study showed that the mortality rate for orcas living in captivity is 2.5 times higher than orcas living in the wild, according to the Animal Welfare Institute.
"They will continue to receive the highest-quality care based on the latest advances in marine veterinary medicine, science, and zoological best practices," SeaWorld said in a statement. "Guests will be able to observe these orcas through the new educational encounters and in viewing areas within the existing habitats."
A young girl watches as a killer whale passes by at SeaWorld on Nov. 30, 2006 in San Diego. Chris Park, AP
PETA, which has called for SeaWorld to move its orcas to sanctuaries, hailed the move.
"PETA has campaigned hard, and now there is a payoff for future generations of orcas," PETA President Ingrid E. Newkirk said in a statement. "SeaWorld must open its tanks to the oceans to allow the orcas it now holds captive to have some semblance of a life outside these prison tanks."
SeaWorld also Thursday announced a new partnership with long-time critic Humane Society of the United States to create educational programs and advocate for the health and welfare of marine life. The company said it would spend $50 million over five years to rescue animals and fight commercial fishing of whales and seals and fight shark-finning.
"We did not want to be endlessly mired with conflict with SeaWorld. The goal is to make progress for animal welfare," Humane Society of the United States CEO Wayne Pacelle said on a conference call. "In a culture where so many people are deeply concerned with animals, every corporation with animals at the center of its business model must focus on animal welfare. I think it’s a great move by SeaWorld."
Animal Welfare Institute marine mammal scientist Naomi Rose said only one captive orca — Keiko, which inspired the 1993 movie Free Willy — has been released to the wild, though he remained dependent on caretakers.
"So I personally believe they all can be retired to sea pen sanctuaries – bigger and more natural spaces," Rose said in an email. "But I do not feel most are candidates for full release. I hope one day SeaWorld will understand that what we are proposing will allow them to continue to care for and, frankly, profit from their orcas and come around to our view."
SeaWorld to phase out killer-whale shows, captivity
The move comes nearly three years after SeaWorld came under pressure for its treatment of killer whales and their trainers in the documentary Blackfish.
The company had already announced plans to end killer-whale shows at its San Diego park following regulatory scrutiny in California.
SeaWorld will turn its attention to "new, inspiring, natural orca encounters" with educational programs emphasizing enrichment, exercise and health while its killer whales are alive, CEO Joel Manby said on a conference call.
The orca shows will end at its San Diego park in 2017, while the San Antonio and Orlando parks will end the shows by 2019.
The company has been under heavy pressure from animal-rights activists, including People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and other watchdog groups, to end shows and breeding.
USA TODAY
SeaWorld admits workers posed as animal-rights activists
"Today marks a bold and impactful shift for our company," Manby said. "The killer whale issue is a growing reason why many people don’t visit SeaWorld and this is about doing the best thing for our orcas, our guests, our ambassadors and our company."
The company, which said it has not collected any orcas from the wild in more than 40 years, said its orcas will live out their lives at SeaWorld. That includes one pregnant orca named Takara.
Despite the strategic shift, orcas are likely to live at SeaWorld for many years to come.
The average male orca life span is about 30 years, though they can live up to 60, while the average female orca life span is 50 years and they can live up to 100, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
But a 1995 study showed that the mortality rate for orcas living in captivity is 2.5 times higher than orcas living in the wild, according to the Animal Welfare Institute.
"They will continue to receive the highest-quality care based on the latest advances in marine veterinary medicine, science, and zoological best practices," SeaWorld said in a statement. "Guests will be able to observe these orcas through the new educational encounters and in viewing areas within the existing habitats."
A young girl watches as a killer whale passes by at SeaWorld on Nov. 30, 2006 in San Diego. Chris Park, AP
PETA, which has called for SeaWorld to move its orcas to sanctuaries, hailed the move.
"PETA has campaigned hard, and now there is a payoff for future generations of orcas," PETA President Ingrid E. Newkirk said in a statement. "SeaWorld must open its tanks to the oceans to allow the orcas it now holds captive to have some semblance of a life outside these prison tanks."
SeaWorld also Thursday announced a new partnership with long-time critic Humane Society of the United States to create educational programs and advocate for the health and welfare of marine life. The company said it would spend $50 million over five years to rescue animals and fight commercial fishing of whales and seals and fight shark-finning.
"We did not want to be endlessly mired with conflict with SeaWorld. The goal is to make progress for animal welfare," Humane Society of the United States CEO Wayne Pacelle said on a conference call. "In a culture where so many people are deeply concerned with animals, every corporation with animals at the center of its business model must focus on animal welfare. I think it’s a great move by SeaWorld."
Animal Welfare Institute marine mammal scientist Naomi Rose said only one captive orca — Keiko, which inspired the 1993 movie Free Willy — has been released to the wild, though he remained dependent on caretakers.
"So I personally believe they all can be retired to sea pen sanctuaries – bigger and more natural spaces," Rose said in an email. "But I do not feel most are candidates for full release. I hope one day SeaWorld will understand that what we are proposing will allow them to continue to care for and, frankly, profit from their orcas and come around to our view."
SeaWorld to phase out killer-whale shows, captivity
