BY: SYDNEY MCINNIS
If you’ve ever seen Blackfish or have visited a SeaWorld yourself, then you’ve certainly witnessed the theatrical, and extremely controversial, Shamu show, which sees killer whales performing flipping and diving tricks through dancing fountains, led by a group of trainers. I was thrilled when I read that by late 2016, these shows will seize to exist. But then I read on to find that these performances will continue at all other SeaWorld parks in San Antonio, Texas, and Florida.
Last month, Californian officials formally stopped SeaWorld from breeding, selling, transferring and trading orca whales ever again. This means that the whales within the confines of California’s SeaWorld, located in San Diego, are the last ones to ever exist there. Finally the cruel methods used on these animals for the sake of the tourist dollar, will end – but only in one location.
Last month, Californian officials formally stopped SeaWorld from breeding, selling, transferring and trading orca whales ever again.
Rep. Adam Schiff and his co-sponsor Rep. Jarden Huffman recently announced that the Orca Responsibility and Care Advancement Act is in place. ORCA essentially aims to transition orca-holding facilities into something much more humane. “The psychological and physical harm done to these magnificent animals far outweighs any benefits reaped from their display,” stated Schiff to The Guardian. “We cannot be responsible stewards of our natural environment and propagate messages about the importance of animal welfare when our behaviours do not reflect our principles.”
The ORCA does imply that this is the last generation of orcas who will live in captivity, but we must keep in mind that this is only the case for this particular SeaWorld location. Despite SeaWorld’s crazy decrease in attendees since the release of the critically acclaimed 2013 documentary Blackfish, all other SeaWorld parks will be able to showcase their orcas in performances that treat them solely as an entertainment commodity. The Guardian states: “visitor numbers dropped 17 per cent last year to 3.8 million, according to city authorities, and [SeaWorld’s CEO] warned investors last week that numbers are still falling and would contribute to a $10 million hit to SeaWorld’s profits this year.”
The ORCA does imply that this is the last generation of orcas who will live in captivity, but we must keep in mind that this is only the case for this particular SeaWorld location.
The general public was largely disgusted after seeing the documentary. It’s truly heart wrenching, and the backlash towards SeaWorld was very strong, which is further evident in this bill being formed and now passed. Joel Manby, CEO of SeaWorld said to BBC that the removal of the performances “was part of a strategy that seeks to reverse falling visitor numbers at the company’s 11 parks across the US. The company has faced intense criticism by activists who say keeping the whales in captivity is cruel and unnecessary.”
The Guardian states: “visitor numbers dropped 17 per cent last year to 3.8 million, according to city authorities, and [SeaWorld’s CEO] warned investors last week that numbers are still falling and would contribute to a $10 million hit to SeaWorld’s profits this year.”
The loss of the centrepiece act of Shamu shows at SeaWorld constitutes for something else crowd-pleasing to replace it, and customers had requested something more “natural”. In its place is an “all new orca experience focused on the natural environment [of the whales]” coming in 2017, according to The Guardian. Unfortunately, what this actually means in terms of the performance that the orcas are required to do has been left incredibly vague. Orcas require ocean reserves to live naturally, not just a bigger pool to swim laps in.
James Cook of BBC News contacted SeaWorld, inquiring about some key, unanswered questions, such as how the displays will be more humane and natural than before, and why the displays will continue to happen in Texas and Florida. BBC stated, “the answers were cursory, with SeaWorld saying it had not yet decided “what specific behaviours” would be in the new presentation and failing to explain the logic of differing approaches in its different parks.”
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