ORLANDO, Ga. — SeaWorld announced Thursday it will end its orca breeding program and make other changes involving the killer whales.
The current group of killer whales at SeaWorld will be the last generation it has in captivity. According to SeaWorld’s website:
“The killer whales in our care will be the last at SeaWorld. We haven’t taken a whale from the wild in nearly 40 years. Now, we’re going further and will end our orca breeding programs as of today.”
SeaWorld will also move toward more environmentally inspired housing for the killer whales.
SeaWorld has suffered from lagging attendance and profits following CNN's release of the documentary "Blackfish."
The Humane Society of the United States issued the following statement:
<em>SeaWorld has weathered strong currents of public criticism since the release of the 2013 documentary "Blackfish," and today's announcement comes in the wake of increasing pressure and calls on the company to end captive orca performance at its parks.</em>
<em>"This is a first, massive step forward toward a more humane future for SeaWorld," said Dr. Naomi Rose, marine mammal scientist at the Animal Welfare Institute and formerly with The HSUS. "I welcome these commitments from Joel Manby. He has given SeaWorld a new lease on life."</em>
“This is a defining moment. The fact that SeaWorld is doing away with orca breeding marks truly meaningful change,” said Gabriela Cowperthwaite, director of “Blackfish.”
Cox Media Group
