It's Official: SeaWorld Will Never Breed Another Orca Again
March 17, 2016
SeaWorld will never breed another orca again.
The company has announced it will end its orca breeding program and phase out theatrical shows featuring the highly intelligent animals.
"Today's announcement signals that the era of captive display of orcas will end," said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of the HSUS in a press release.
"As one of the largest rescue organizations in the world, we will increase our focus on rescue operations — so that the thousands of stranded marine mammals like dolphins and sea lions that cannot be released back to the wild will have a place to go," SeaWorld CEO Joel Manby said.
Ever since the release of "Blackfish" three years ago, SeaWorld has seen dwindling attendances and protests from animal rights activists calling for it to end public exhibitions of orcas.
"This is a first, massive step forward toward a more humane future for SeaWorld," Dr. Naomi Rose, marine mammal scientist at the Animal Welfare Institute, said in the press release. "I welcome these commitments from Joel Manby. He has given SeaWorld a new lease on life."
Dogs Are Forced To Wear The Things They Steal — And It’s Hilarious
Meet Nazgul: The Dog Who Crashed An Olympic Ski Race And Nearly Won
Bill Murray Says This Painting 'Saved His Life' — And It Still Inspires Visitors Today
Professor Watches His Student Compete At The Olympics After She Requested An Extension On An Assignment
He Lost Everything And Had To Give Up His Dog — Then Strangers Brought Her Back Home
10 Powerful Inventions Where Helping Others Came Before Profit
James Van Der Beek Has Passed. But What He Said Before He Died, We All Need To Hear
Snowplow Driver Spots Two Boys Shoveling — Then Reverses To Help
He Ordered A Doctor Bag — But The Size Has Him Laughing Uncontrollably
Woman Stunned By Valuation Of Rare Māori Jade Hei-Tiki Found In Her Garden
Mom Red Fox Calls Her Adorable Pups Out For The First Time
