‘Blackfish’ Effect: SeaWorld Suffers Disastrous 84 Percent Drop in Profits in Wake of Documentary

[Liberal_in_LA]

Source: sfgate

SeaWorld witnessed a major decline in attendance during its most recent quarter, a lingering effect from the release of documentary “Blackfish,” which has sparked public campaigns by animal activists to end the captivity of killer whales.

According to the SeaWorld Entertainment Inc. Report, the theme park suffered an 84 percent drop in its net second-quarter income; after a $37.4 million haul in 2014, the park was only able to net $5.8 million in 2015. Total revenues for the quarter fell from $405.2 million in 2014 to $391.6 million, marking a 3 percent drop year over year.

The report also shows that Q2 attendance dropped by 100,000 visitors from 6.58 million in 2014 to 6.48 million. The Florida-based company operates SeaWorld theme parks in Orlando, San Diego, and San Antonio.


SeaWorld blamed multiple external factors, such as a holiday timing and extreme weather, for the decline in attendance, but did not acknowledge any impact from “Blackfish” on public interest in the park

http://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/Blackfish-Effect-SeaWorld-Suffers-6430167.php

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/Blackfish-Effect-SeaWorld-Suffers-6430167.php

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[pscot]

1. Good

I hope they get slimed by jellyfish.

[Schulfrau]

2. Blackfish Backlash?

It took long enough, I've had "Blackfish" on my DVR since January 2013. Sea World probably hid the losses all this time so they could make those exculpatory apologia presented as commercials espousing their ethical treatment of captive orcas. Keyword CAPTIVE. To my shame, I attended a Sea World orca show several years ago and wept - the animals were majestic but it was easy to see that any enclosure would be insufficient to humanely allow them to have a good "quality of life." The time for using wild animals in captivity for human entertainment is past, especially the larger species. I think our species is finally understanding that animals are important in their own right and in their own habitat and our own survival depends on their survival as well. Viva the ideals of Tilikum and Cecil!

[catbyte]

3. ...

Seaworld lies.

[Leontius]

4. So did the documentary evidently very creative editing

just like another group in the news recently.

[Dr Hobbitstein]

6. Fact.

Even the Brouchard family detested the film, and it was made in response to the death of their daughter. A couple of the trainers who were interviewed have spoken out about their parts in the film as well, said they were heavily edited to push a narrative that they weren't talking about.

[SusanaMontana41]

11. I watched "Blackfish" and would like to know more.

Do you have a link?

[Dr Hobbitstein]

12. Here ya go.

http://www.awesomeocean.com/2014/07/05/blackfish-full-blacklies/

http://reason.com/archives/2015/06/10/blackfishsgreen-lies-about-sea-world

http://marinemammaltrainer.com/the-truth-behind-blackfish/

It's a shame, too. SeaWorld does a LOT for injured sea animals, research and conservation. The parks are where they make money to do those things.

[SusanaMontana41]

13. Thank you!

I read all three, and I have to tell you that, when I see Stossel's name on anything, I am deeply suspicious.

The comments, however, were worth the price of admission. No pun intended.

[Dr Hobbitstein]

15. I'm not a fan of Stossel either

A couple years ago, after the film was released, I found a really great interview with two trainers involved with the film. I can't remember where I read it, but it was those interviews that Stossel based his story on. Also, Blackfish was bankrolled by PETA. Not exactly a group known for truth.

[SusanaMontana41]

16. The word is "hyperbolic," right?

Thanks so much for the information!

[Dr Hobbitstein]

17. That is, indeed, the word.

And no problem. I'm a central FL native, and spent a LOT of time at Sea World, and know a couple former trainers and employees who have pointed out quite a few inaccuracies as well. Documentaries like this are one-sided and agenda driven (a documentary should show BOTH sides, as I learned in film school), and sadly do a LOT to change public opinion (even when it's misguided). Another example would be ACORN or the current attacks on PP. Better production value with Blackfish, but the same tactics.

[SusanaMontana41]

18. "Better production value"! ROFLMAO! n/t

[chernabog]

19. I'm a central FL native too

How can you be in support of these massive creatures living in a small pool being forced to perform? It's sickening, and all in the name of profit.

[Dr Hobbitstein]

20. Because the pool you see out front is NOT

what they live in. There are quite large lagoons where the animals live, but if you don't work for the park, you don't see them.

Recently, there was an injured sea turtle a friend found on the beach. She called the authorities to assist. Wanna guess where the animal was transferred to for medical help? Sea World. They helped the turtle, then released her back at the same beach they picked her up at.

They do SO much more than just a theme park. Conservation efforts, animal rescues, and research. We wouldn't know what we know about many sea mammals without the efforts of Sea World. The park attendance pays for that.

A one-sided PETA-funded propaganda film with heavily-edited interviews (ya know, the bullshit James O'Keefe does) is not a good source of information about the park.

http://marinemammaltrainer.com/the-truth-behind-blackfish/

[chernabog]

21. I've seen the "lagoon"

It's small. Forcing animals to perform is still disgusting. There are plenty of other organizations that will help animals and not train and force them to do tricks for profit.

[Dr Hobbitstein]

22. Did you read the links I've supplied?

The ones written by former trainers that call out the lies?

If you want to believe bullshit from a one-sided propaganda film and heavily edited interviews, go ahead. The assholes behind the film are just as bad as James O'Keefe and the asshats attacking PP right now. Fuck them all.

[chernabog]

23. There is no denying

that SeaWorld trains and forces intelligent creatures to perform tricks for the profit of the company. You can't dispute that and you aren't even trying to.

[Dr Hobbitstein]

24. So, no then?

You won't read the links?

I support Sea World. I don't have to defend myself to someone who is so willfully ignorant, they won't even read the refutations.

[chernabog]

25. I read the link you posted

1 guy saying blackfish is full of lies with no links to anything. Tells me nothing.

[Dr Hobbitstein]

26. A trainer with initimate knowledge of the park.

Dawn Brancheau's family on Blackfish:
http://news.nationalpost.com/arts/movies/family-of-trainer-killed-by-whale-comment-on-seaworld-documentary-blackfish-she-loved-the-whales-and-was-proud-of-her-work

Bridgette Pirtle, former trainer who was involved with the film discussing the film:
http://micechat.com/53915-blackfish-exposed/

Gabriela Cowperthwaite (director of the film) lied to everyone involved with that film. The only trainers who were actually interviewed in context were trainers who were FIRED from SW for their behavior (long before the film).

Facts are hard when you're obtuse.

[chernabog]

27. Forget blackfish

Whales do not need and should not be forced to be trained and perform tricks while living their lives in a pool. It's fucked up.

[LanternWaste]

29. Editorials and allegations are not proofs. They are merely editorials and allegations.

Editorials and allegations are not proofs. They are merely editorials and allegations.

Your bias seems as intractable as those you indict for the very same. Bias is easy when you're obtuse.

[Dr Hobbitstein]

30. Propaganda films with heavy editing are ALSO

not proof.

[chernabog]

32. Forget Blackfish

Whales do not need and should not be forced to be trained and perform tricks while living their lives in a pool. It's fucked up.

[LanternWaste]

28. You appear to be under the inaccurate belief there are only two sides to this story

"a documentary should show BOTH sides, as I learned in film school"

You appear to be under the inaccurate belief there are only two sides to this story, in addition to the invalid premise that all sides deserve equal representation.

That's not the job of documentaries... you're mistaking it for news. There are as many reasons a filmmaker produces a documentary as there are documentary films.

On-line films schools are really not the best resource to validate an allegation.

[Dr Hobbitstein]

33. Online film schools?

I went to an actual film school, and spend the decade after graduating working in marketing and advertising (ie, commercials), plus some freelance work for MTV. I have the degree to back it up, and plenty of professional experience. Documentaries are supposed to be unbiased. A biased documentary is propaganda. I'm sorry you don't know the difference.

[passiveporcupine]

5. I second that

[Sunlei]

7. makes me sad to know Chinas Seaworld is booming, with the Sea Wild Life 'shows' surrounded by

miles of hotels and attractions for the booming middle class families 'vacation enjoyment'

and animal protection laws especially for "captive bred Wild Life" in China are non existant and probably worse then the American 'bathtubs are allowed' for Orcas.

[L0oniX]

8. I hope they go under. Next: Japan killing dolphins.

[shanti]

9. Good, they got the desired effect

i'm so sick of their commercial, "...and we love them too."

[wordpix]

10. Sea World & circuses everywhere should be out of business

unless it's humans doing acrobatics, maybe with dogs. It's a crime to keep these wild animals in little cement pools.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

14. Good. (n/t)

[7wo7rees]

31. SWEET!! nt

[restorefreedom]

34. bye bye sea prison

won't be soon enough.