TBT to my second post
As of October 8, 2015, authorities in California have forbidden SeaWorld from breeding animals in captivity. This new ruling stated by the California Coastal Commission was created after a request by the San Diego SeaWorld aquarium to build new tanks for its orcas.
Originally, SeaWorld had planned to build two additional tanks for viewing and research. “Breeding is a natural, fundamental and important part of an animal’s life and depriving a social animal of the right to reproduce is inhumane”, stated SeaWorld San Diego Park President, John Reilly. The 100 million dollar building project was permitted by the commission “under a condition that would prohibit captive breeding, artificial insemination, and the sale, trade or transfer of any animal in captivity.” In other words, yes, SeaWorld in San Diego can create their new buildings and tanks for “research” but they are not allowed to have their animals become impregnated or buy or trade any new animals. So, SeaWorld in San Diego cannot get anymore new animals, which could potentially lead to the end of SeaWorld.
SeaWorld has been under extreme disparagement in the past couple of years, predominantly after the release of the documentary Blackfish in 2013 which unambiguously disapproved the company’s treatment of their orcas.
Link to the Blackfish trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G93beiYiE74
My favorite line out of the trailer: “If you were in a bathtub for twenty-five years, don’t you think you’d get a little psychotic?”
Blackfish is a film made to explain that whales in captivity become restless in their small environment, which leads them to behave aggressively toward their trainers. SeaWorld has stated that the film is “false and misleading”.
In August 2015, the SeaWorld Entertainment industry reported an 84% drop in their money and earnings made in the second quarter of 2015, compared to the same period in 2014, and 2% less in visitor numbers.
Is the end for SeaWorld? Will the aquariums in Texas and Florida be next?
