How does SeaWorld train their animals?

Three important steps - reinforcement, communication, and target recognition - are the basic building blocks of how animals are trained at SeaWorld. Once an animal learns this foundation, the animal applies it to learning new and more complex behaviors.



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SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment is one of the world's foremost zoological organizations and a global leader in animal welfare, training, husbandry, and veterinary care. We collectively care for what it believes is one of the largest zoological collections in the world and has helped lead advances in the care of animals.

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Animal Training Philosophy at SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Trainers reinforce desirable behavior with a variety of rewards and do not draw attention to undesirable behavior. Trainers build strong and rewarding relationships with the animals based on a history of positive and stimulating interaction.

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Dolphins of SeaWorld Entertainment will no longer have trainers riding on top of them. The action came earlier in the month after a shareholder proposal made in December by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, which sought the end of what it described as “dolphin surfing” and “circus-style” entertainment.

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That fact stems not only from the world-class care they are provided with but the love and affection they receive on a daily basis from a whole host of passionate trainers. Well there you have it. By the Dodo's own deduction, SeaWorld's whales are loved, happy and have a great relationship with their trainers.

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Our animal care specialists will guide you through a unique, hands-on experience that allows you to touch and feed these amazing arctic animals.

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No we do not. Perhaps you've heard the claims from PETA. They say we “kidnapped our whales.” Or maybe you saw Blackfish, where you're led to believe SeaWorld still collects wild killer whales. This is what you need to know.

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In 1971, at just 9 years old, Shamu died at SeaWorld from a uterine infection and blood poisoning. In the ocean, she could have lived for up to 80 years. Even in death, SeaWorld continued exploiting Shamu—the company trademarked her name, using it to sell even more tickets to abusive orca shows.

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Our goal is to successfully rehabilitate and return every animal to the wild. The small percentage of animals with conditions deeming them non-releasable are given lifelong care with us or at another accredited facility.

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As of 2021, SeaWorld has ended its use of orcas in its shows and breeding program. In 2016, SeaWorld announced that it would no longer breed orcas in captivity and that its current orcas would be its last.

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“SeaWorld is American Humane Certified which means we have inspected their facilities and they met our rigorous certification criteria for the good welfare and humane treatment of animals.

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Scrutiny of SeaWorld reached a crescendo following the release of the 2013 documentary “Blackfish.” The documentary focused on the life of Tilikum, a 12,000-pound orca that killed trainer Dawn Brancheau when he dragged her into a pool at SeaWorld Orlando in 2010.

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The Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society and Humane Society of the US issued a report on the topic as early as 2003, pointing out that feeding throughout the day by members of the public led to both obese and underweight dolphins, because some animals would become more aggressive than others.

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The company has been under scrutiny over its treatment of whales and dolphins for a decade. In 2010, an orca, Tilikum, killed a trainer at SeaWorld Orlando. The killer whale was the subject of a 2013 documentary, Blackfish, that eventually led SeaWorld to stop breeding orcas in captivity.

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As of last December, PETA held 163 shares of SeaWorld stock and has owned at least $2,000 worth of common stock for some time.

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