Seaworld Pulls the Plug on Orca Captive Breeding

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Photo Credit: The Odyssey Online

SeaWorld has made an official announcement that it will stop breeding Orca Whales, also referred to as Killer Whales.

In a statement, SeaWorld Entertainment said that the current generation of orcas would not be replaced. The statement added that the company would replace its popular theatrical shows featuring Orcas with “new, inspiring, natural orca encounters … as part of its ongoing commitment to education, marine science research, and rescue of marine animals.”

SeaWorld Entertainment said the Orca shows would be phased out at all three locations in the next three years. SeaWorld currently operates in San Diego, San Antonio and Orlando.

According to Joel Manby, President and CEO of SeaWorld Entertainment, “SeaWorld has introduced more than 400 million guests to orcas, and we are proud of our part in contributing to the human understanding of these animals.  As society’s understanding of orcas continues to change, SeaWorld is changing with it.”

SeaWorld’s treatment of captive killer whales gained considerable attention from the 2013 CNN documentary “Blackfish”, which observed that killer whales become more aggressive to humans and each other when in captivity. The documentary’s focus was on an Orca named Tilikum, who pulled SeaWorld trainer Dawn Brancheau into a pool in 2010, causing the woman’s death.

After the documentary’s release in 2013, several entertainers pulled out of planned performances at SeaWorld parks amid criticism from animal rights activists, and Southwest Airlines ended its 25-year marketing partnership with the theme park company.

In a statement, “Blackfish” director Gabriela Cowperthwaite called SeaWorld’s policy change “a defining moment” of “truly meaningful change.”

“SeaWorld’s commitment to end breeding of orcas is a long-held goal of many animal advocacy organizations, and we commend the company for making this game-changing commitment,” Wayne Pacelle, President and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States said in a statement.

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Scott Groseclose is the owner of AquaNerd, Aquarium Specialty, Aqua Specialty Wholesale, BioTek Marine, & The Carolina Reef Experience. He has a degree in Biology from St. Andrews University and he has been a passionate reef keeper since 1988.