Sea World is planning to move to the Middle East where they believe they will face less controversy about keeping orcas whales in captivity. In the United States, Sea World faces low attendance rates after the release of the Blackfish, a documentary exposing the treatment of orcas at Sea World while showing the dangers of keeping orca whales in captivity. Along with Blackfish, Sea World has been publically criticized by both the Oceanic Preservation Society and The Orca Project.
Orca whales are not built for captivity.
At Sea World, orcas are forced to live an unnatural life. These otherwise sociable animals are separated from their family at a young age, show unhealthy signs such as collapsed fins, and have drastically shorter life spans compared to an orca whale’s life span in the wild. These animals also live and perform in tanks that are way too small for their size; the average size of an orca whale is around 23 to 32 feet, while Sea World’s deepest tank is 40 feet.
Captivity appears to increase the animal’s violent behavior. In the wild there has only been one report of an orca attacking a human, whereas there have been three deaths at Sea World with even more injuries. In the wild, fights between orcas are rare; because there is enough space to swim and escape if there is an altercation with another orca. However, in captivity tensions are high and when a fight occurs there is the possibility it could result in death.
We cannot allow the continuation of this disgusting type of treatment to occur. Tell Sea World they cannot run away from controversy.
Stop Sea World from expanding to the Middle East!
