SeaWorld announced Thursday that it will end its practice of breeding killer whales, or orcas, for entertainment, stating that its current stable of 29 whales will be the last.
“Times have changed, and we are changing with them,” SeaWorld said in a statement. “The killer whales currently in our care will be the last generation of killer whales at SeaWorld. The company will end all orca breeding as of today.”
The company has come under increasing pressure over its treatment of animals following the 2013 documentary Blackfish, which told the story of Tilkum, a male orca that lived in captivity and was involved in the deaths of several trainers.
Seaworld also stated that it will develop new orca encounters in an effort to phase out its killer whale shows. A facility redesign will begin in San Diego next year, followed by San Antonio and Orlando in 2019.
“These programs will focus on orca enrichment, exercise and overall health,” the company wrote online. “Our existing show pools and viewing areas will be redesigned into a more naturalistic setting and we will continue to present the whales at scheduled times before a guest audience.”
“SeaWorld has introduced more than 400 million guests to orcas, and we are proud of our part in contributing to the human understanding of these animals,” said Joel Manby, president and chief executive officer of SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. “We’ve helped make orcas among the most beloved marine mammals on the planet. As society’s understanding of orcas continues to change, SeaWorld is changing with it. By making this the last generation of orcas in our care and reimagining how guests will experience these beautiful animals, we are fulfilling our mission of providing visitors to our parks with experiences that matter.”
