ICYMI: SeaWorld Ends Orca Breeding

ORLANDO, FL — SeaWorld has announced an immediate end to its orca breeding program and plans to gradually phase out the creatures’ use in theatrical shows. The announcement came early Thursday morning, amid mounting pressure from animal rights organizations.

“The killer whales – or orcas – currently in the company’s care will be the last generation of orcas at SeaWorld,” the park said in a media release. “The company will end all orca breeding as of today.”

As for the shows, they will gradually be replaced with “new, inspiring, natural orca encounters.” The change will come first to the entertainment company’s San Diego, Calif., location, followed by San Antonio, Texas. The Orlando park’s theatrical shows will remain in place until 2019.

Last week, the park announced Tilikum, the orca involved in the death of three people, has become gravely ill.

“He has a disease which is chronic and progressive,” SeaWorld veterinarian Dr. Scott Gearhart said in a video announcing the famous whale’s condition. “We have not found a cure for this disease at this point.”

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Gearhart explained that Tilikum is suffering from a respiratory condition that is “very difficult to treat. I wish I could say I was tremendously optimistic.”

Tilikum made national headlines in 2010 following trainer Dawn Brancheau’s death. His life story was also the focus of the documentary “Blackfish,” which was released in 2013. The movie asserts the stress of captivity might be behind the attack that resulted in Brancheau’s death.

Tilikum was also implicated in two other human deaths: one in 1991 involving the drowning death of a Sealand trainer, and another in 1999 at SeaWorld during which a visitor drown after sneaking into the whale enclosure after closing.

News of Tilikum’s failing health whipped up a new round of criticism against the theme park’s use of orcas in shows and its continued use of breeding programs to bolster its in-house population.

Twitter uses responded fiercely to the announcement.

“How about let him out of prison,” one Twitter user responded to a park tweet about Tilikum’s health. “Have they tried that?”

“Murderers,” wrote another. “He would have flourished had he been left in the wild. You should be ashamed of yourselves.”

SeaWorld’s continued use of killer whales in shows has drawn harsh criticism well beyond the realm of social media. The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) have conducted a lengthy campaign to pressure SeaWorld into ending breeding and use of orcas in shows. Continued pressure from government officials and animal rights activists, in fact, prompted SeaWorld to announce aphasing out the use of orcas in shows in San Diego late last year. Thursday’s announcement extends to all parks and includes the end of orca breeding.

SeaWorld on Thursday also announced a partnership with the Humane Society of the United States “to protect our oceans and the animals that call them home,” the company’s press release said.

“By making this the last generation of orcas in our care and reimagining how guests will encounter these beautiful animals, we are fulfilling our mission of providing visitors to our parks with experiences that matter,” SeaWorld CEO Joel Manby said in the release.”

Manby also announced the park has committed $50 million over the next five years to transform itself into “the world's leading marine animal rescue organization, to advocate for an end to the commercial killing of whales and seals and an end to shark finning."

The current generation of whales at SeaWorld, including Takara, who became pregnant in February, will not be released into the wild, the park said. “They will live out their lives at the company’s park habitats.”

Photo courtesy of SeaWorld Entertainment