SeaWorld plans bigger killer whale environments

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP-Excite

By MARLEY JAY

NEW YORK (AP) — After more than a year of public criticism of its treatment of killer whales, SeaWorld said Friday that it will build new, larger environments at its theme parks and will fund additional research on the animals along with programs to protect ocean health and whales in the wild.

The Orlando, Florida, company said the renovations have been in the works for some time and that they are not a response to the documentary "Blackfish" or the criticism of the company that followed the release of the film.

The company's shares, which are trading near their lowest point since SeaWorld listed its stock on public markets last year, rose Friday. But it remains to be seen if the renovations will fully address concerns about keeping large marine mammals in captivity.

The 2013 documentary "Blackfish" suggested that captivity and SeaWorld's treatment of the whales provoke violent behavior, which in turn has led to the death of trainers. Since the release of the film, a series of entertainers have pulled out of planned performances at SeaWorld parks. SeaWorld also recently said its longtime corporate partnership with Southwest Airlines is ending, and on Wednesday the company reported disappointing second-quarter financial results because of the backlash.

FULL story at link.



FILE - In this March 7, 2011 file photo, trainers Joe Sanchez, left, Brian Faulkner and Kelly Aldrich, right, work with killer whales Trua, front, Kayla, center, and Nalani during the Believe show in Shamu Stadium at the SeaWorld Orlando theme park in Orlando, Fla. After more than a year of public criticism of its treatment of killer whales, SeaWorld said Friday, Aug. 15, 2015, that it will build new, larger environments at its theme parks and will fund additional research on the animals along with programs to protect ocean health and whales in the wild. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)


Read more: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20140815/us--seaworld-killer_whale_environment-003b8499b7.html

[L0oniX]

1. Fuck Sea World! Shut them down!

[sakabatou]

2. Because that'll help

[enlightenment]

3. There's a really nice

environment already available, not far from any of the SeaWorld locations. Lots of water, food, tons of room. It's called the ocean. They should take advantage of it.

[PersonNumber503602]

13. Would they survive on their own the ocean after being in captivity?

Were they born there, or did they capture them and bring them there?

[enlightenment]

14. Honestly? I don't know.

It's a valid concern.

If Sea World will build more humane habitats for them; stop using them for shows (which is disgusting, imo); and promise to never capture another one, then good for them.

[PersonNumber503602]

15. It looks like the solution would be putting them in large natural sanctuaries with limited human

contact, and also preventing any breeding in the sanctuaries. The idea of remote viewing of the whales in a more natural state seems far more interesting too. I never had any desire to to go Sea World to see a whale do tricks, but I'd be interested in alternative.


http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/24/opinion/blackfish-captive-orcas-solutions/

[enlightenment]

16. Alternatives, absolutely.

I made the mistake of taking my kid to SeaWorld San Diego 27 years ago. He wanted to see the "show", so I capitulated. Halfway through, my seven year old turned to me and asked me if the "big fish" felt sad, like the elephants at the circus. We left the show. He had more fun running around on the giant concrete map of the US and petting the manta rays than watching that show. It made him sad, too.

Never again. I like the idea of a sanctuary and would very much like to see efforts made to rehabilitate the captive whales to the wild, if possible. If not, they should be protected - not used like puppets.

[Warren Stupidity]

4. Keeping captive dolphins and whales should be outlawed.

[shanti]

9. exactly

and that is why although it's been many years, i'll never visit sea world again.

[byronius]

5. Typical disappointing second-quarter financial result response.

[McCamy Taylor]

6. Bigger prisons for the enslaved orcas?

Will they keep separating mothers from their children? In the wild, families never part.

[Hoppy]

7. My guess, short the shares or buy puts.

After they spend $$$ for new tanks and still no one comes to see their shit shows, the stock price will drop.

[dhill926]

8. the proper environment….

would be the ocean...

[gyroscope]

10. Convert the parks into non-profit animal shelters

how about converting the Sea World parks into treatment centers for sick and injured marine life that are released back into the wild when they are ready. keep the ones that cant be released and let them live in the park, more or less a zoo and rehab center for marine life.

funding would come from charging the public admission to observe the animals being cared for, and donations. I would definitely pay to visit a place like that, knowing that the animals are being well-cared for with their well-being as the highest priority and mission--instead of corporate profits. because right now Sea World is little more than a circus for marine life, and circuses are notorious for abusing their animals.

[csziggy]

11. Best idea I've seen ever for SeaWorld!

[ohnoyoudidnt]

18. When I was a younger, I used to think that was what they where about.

I remember going there as a kid and thought they where there for a reason line that. I had no idea they stole babies from orca pods that stayed together as families and the treatment they endured to entertain guests to make them money. They are nothing but a corporation enslaving intelligent animals for a profit and they think donating a small portion of their proceeds to help animals (nothing but PR) makes up for it.

[hamsterjill]

12. Not enough, certainly. But something, at least.

Of course the animals should be in the ocean. That's the answer. But at this point, these whales would need to be retaught to fend for themselves in the wild. That could be done, of course, if Sea World was willing.

My point is simply this: While this is certainly not an ideal solution, it is something at least. It proves the power of the consumer. So, I hope people keep it up. I hope people, like me, continue to refuse to go to Sea World.

[ohnoyoudidnt]

17. Fuck you, SeaWorld.

Free your orcas, build more coasters and maybe you will recover.

[Liberal_from_va34]

19. I haven't visited SeaWorld in years because of their poor treatment of their animals.

Looking at this, I definitely won't bother visiting them anytime soon.

[Codeine]

20. Too late now, you pathetic fucksticks.

People are finally figuring out how wrong that shit is.