Do You Think the Ban on SeaWorld's Orca Breeding is Fair?

The California Coastal Commission seemingly rang the death knell for SeaWorld’s killer whale program Thursday by banning the breeding of whales.

Heralded by animal rights activists, the ban could mean that the theme park’s killer whale population will die out because SeaWorld has already vowed to stop capturing wild orcas.

The ban was issued even as the commission approved the park’s plans to dramatically expand its orca tanks.

“We are disappointed with the conditions that the California Coastal Commission placed on their approval of the Blue World Project, and will carefully review and consider our options,” SeaWorld San Diego President John Reilly said. “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.”

Officials with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals celebrated the decisions as the”end captivity for long-suffering orcas in California.”

“SeaWorld admitted it intended to breed more to fill new tanks,” according to PETA. “But the commission’s action ensures that no more orcas will be condemned to a non-life of loneliness, deprivation and misery. SeaWorld is a sea circus and the orcas are their abused elephants. PETA wants SeaWorld to stop building tanks and start emptying the ones they’ve got and send the orcas to coastal sanctuaries.”

City News Service contributed to this report. Photo: www.flickr.com