Madi Thoele, 4th Period: SeaWorld Will Stop Orca Shows at San Diego Location

Summary: CEO Joel Manby announced today via a live-streamed event that SeaWorld Entertainment will end orca whale shows at its San Diego location because of public disapproval and negative publicity. However, the shows will still continue at its San Antonio and Orlando properties. SeaWorld Entertainment operates 11 parks in 5 states, including SeaWorld and Busch Gardens. The California Coastal Commission just refused to give the company permission to breed orcas, which would threaten their trademark theatrical performances. SeaWorld also plans for a major tank expansion in their San Diego park, saying it will go towards a new "orca experience" to open in 2017. SeaWorld's stock (SEAS) closed down 1.3% today to $17.91 because they have suffered because of the 2013 documentary Blackfish, which made the public question their treatment of orcas and the morality of this practice. Per-capita admissions revenue fell by 2.1% through the first nine months of 2015 to $37.64, and the company's revenue through the first nine months of 2015 fell 1% to $1.1 billion. Net income fell 20% to $60.2 million. Manby bragged about the company's brand and plans to encourage visitors to get involved in conservation, all to get rid of the negative connotation SeaWorld has following Blackfish. "Clearly, we’ve had challenges the last couple of years, but in perspective we’ve had a very, very strong track record," he said. He claims to want to touch "their heart so we can teach their mind". 

Analysis: I've waited so long for SeaWorld itself to close down because I personally do not believe in the way these animals are confined into small spaces and are let out only to be forced to perform. While its entirety isn't closing, it's still great that one act, the orca whale show, is. Blackfish really opened my eyes to cruelty I was already suspicious of, and I'm very thankful for this film because it's been causing the public to take notice, too. Someday SeaWorld could go bankrupt if the trend continues, and I'm really looking forward to that day. This incident is similar to the first circuses of the antebellum age, like Barnum & Bailey. They, too, confined their performing animals in small cages and crates when they traveled around the U.S. during the antebellum period. Luckily, all places with performing animals are more humane now, but we still have a long way to go.

Link: http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2015/11/09/seaworld-killer-whales-orca-shows/75461780/