SeaWorld fails to see the point as expansion plans are revealed
SeaWorld’s multi-million dollar expansion plan to build a larger orca (or killer whale) tanks has had its first public airing in the US. The expansion plan is seen by many as an attempt to halt falling share prices and revenues following a public backlash against the cruel whale and dolphin captivity industry.
The plan comes amid a turbulent year for the company. Attendances continued to drop off and, last month, the CEO of the parent company of SeaWorld, Jim Atchison, stepped down.
“Pumping more money into larger pools is mostly cosmetic and will have negligible impact on the welfare and quality of life for the orcas held in these pools, and will fail to address all of the other ills associated with captivity”, says WDC captivity campaigner, Courtney Vail.
“These superficial attempts to quell public criticism surrounding the confinement of orcas in captivity suggest SeaWorld is still in denial of the fact the public does not want to pay to witness animal exploitation anymore.”