No More Orca Breeding, Shows To Be Phased Out At SeaWorld: Company Officials

By MIRNA ALFONSO (Patch Staff)

SAN DIEGO, CA - SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. announced that as of Thursday, orcas will no longer be bred at its parks in San Diego or anywhere else in the country, and theatrical shows involving the marine mammals will be phased out.

"The orcas will continue to live at SeaWorld for many years to come, inspiring guests in new and natural ways," a company statement reads.

"They will continue to receive the highest-quality care based on the latest advances in marine veterinary medicine, science and zoological best practices."

SeaWorld Entertainment Inc. President and CEO Joel Manby said the whales will not be released into the wild, because they could not survive.

"These majestic orcas will not be released into the ocean, nor confined to sea cages," Manby wrote.

"They could not survive in oceans to compete for food, be exposed to unfamiliar diseases or to have to deal with environmental concerns – including pollution and other man-made threats," said Manby.

He went on to say that the company's next step will be "re-imagining" how park guests will enjoy the whales.

"By making this the last generation of orcas in our care and re-imagining how guests will encounter these beautiful animals, we are fulfilling our mission of providing visitors to our parks with experiences that matter."

The announced changes were welcomed. but with a caveat; a prominent animal rights organization wants the whales to leave the parks altogether.

The group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animalsreleased a statement on the heels of the SeaWorld announcement.

"To do right by them now, SeaWorld must open the tanks to ocean sanctuaries so that these long-suffering animals may have some semblance of a life outside their prison tanks," wrote PETA President Ingrid E. Newkirk.

"For decades orcas, dolphins, beluga whales, seals and many other animals have suffered in SeaWorld confinement.

"SeaWorld has taken a step forward but more must come," Newkirk wrote.

With the announcement of the end of orca breeding and animal performances, SeaWorld also said it has teamed up with the Humane Society of the United States in an effort to educate visitors about animal welfare and conservation issues.

“These two organizations have been long-time adversaries, but we’re excited now to see the company transforming its operations for the better on animal welfare,” president and CEO of The HSUS Wayne Pacelle said.

"Of SeaWorld’s orcas, 23 were born in captivity. SeaWorld ended live capture of orcas and other marine mammals from the wild years ago, and reaffirmed that commitment today," Pacelle said in a statement.

The San Diego Humane Society also chimed in, praising the decision by SeaWorld executives to end the shows and breeding.

“Our goal at San Diego Humane Society is to inspire compassion and end animal suffering, so today’s announcement regarding the end to orca breeding by SeaWorld is a game changer worthy of praise and celebration,” said Dr. Gary Weitzman, president and CEO for San Diego Humane Society.

“We have always been proud of the conservation and rescue work SeaWorld conducts here in San Diego but the orca controversy has overshadowed those important efforts in our region."

SeaWorld's surprise announcement came less than three months after park officials filed a lawsuit against the California Coastal Commission over a ruling that would end the breeding of captive killer whales at its local theme park.

The commission's order was tacked onto its approval of a permit allowing the local theme park to expand its orca tanks.

• SeaWorld Suing California Coastal Commission
• Coastal Commission Shocks SeaWorld; no More Orca Breeding

SeaWorld had agreed earlier to not increase the park's orca population, except through occasional captive births or rescues authorized by government agencies. Park officials said they have not captured orcas in the wild for decades.

SeaWorld has suffered dipping attendance since the release of the documentary "Blackfish," which focused on the treatment of orcas. The 2013 film explores the 2010 death of trainer Dawn Brancheau at SeaWorld Orlando. She was pulled under water and drowned by Tilikum, a performing killer whale.

The theme park on Mission Bay has also been the frequent target of animal rights organizations and was recently criticized after a San Diego employee posed as an animal rights activist to spy on People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

• SeaWorld: Employee Spy Posed as PETA Activist

Sen. Dianne Feinstein commended SeaWorld for its decision to end its captive orca breeding program and stop using animals in its live shows, and for the partnership with the Humane Society, which she said would "focus on combating illegal fishing and improving the health of our oceans."

"Today's announcement means the generation of orcas currently in captivity in the United States will be the last. Orcas are highly intelligent and social animals and I strongly believe this is the right thing to do," she said.

Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Burbank, who authored legislation aimed at phasing out the captivity of orcas, said SeaWorld's decision to stop breeding means the current generation of captive orcas would be the parks' last. He also said a shift to focusing on rescues and advocacy "not only represents a change in their business model, but an exciting new direction for the company."

"These changes are something that advocates have been urging for years, and I think SeaWorld will find that visitors will reward their actions with a renewed interest in the parks," Schiff said.

SeaWorld also plans to replace its theatrical shows with "natural orca encounters," starting in San Diego next year, then in San Antonio and Orlando in 2019. The orcas will continue to receive the highest-quality care, SeaWorld executives said.

SeaWorld will also partner with the Humane Society of the United States to advocate against commercial whaling, seal hunts, shark finning and ocean pollution. Company executives said SeaWorld will increase its focus on rescue operations.

City News Service contributed to this report; Photo via Flickr Creative Commons