PETA's SeaWorld Attack Ad Doesn't Fly, Orlando Airport Says

PETA’s campaign to fight SeaWorld’s use of killer whales in its shows might have held water in San Diego, but officials at Orlando International Airport aren’t planning to let it fly.

The national animal rights organization’s request to buy billboard ad space inside the airport, which is close to SeaWorld’s Florida location, was denied, the Orlando Business Journal reported. The group wanted to place an ad similar to the one it took out earlier this summer at San Diego International Airport just in time for thousands of Comic-Con fans to make their way to the town that is home to SeaWorld’s California location.

The 20-foot graphic cartoon placed in San Diego depicted an orca with a man, meant to be SeaWorld’s CEO Jim Atchison, in its mouth.

SeaWorld lashed back at the California ad’s placement.

“Even by PETA’s standards, this ad is as offensive as it is tasteless,” a statement from the theme park was quoted by the Times of San Diego as saying. “PETA isn’t concerned with actually helping animals. They are a radical organization that continues to spend its money on publicity stunts like the profane Jason Biggs video and advertising campaigns like this for the sole purpose of promoting their agenda.”

The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority denied the ad sale because of a new policy that bars public issue ads, the Orlando Sentinel reported. That policy was put into place following the incident in San Diego.

PETA isn’t giving up just yet on its hope to put a billboard right outside the Orlando airport’s SeaWorld store, the Sentinel reported. The group is currently exploring its legal options.

What are your thoughts on this? Should PETA be able to take out an ad at the airport? Tell us by commenting below!

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