Why did OSHA file a lawsuit against SeaWorld?

After her death, OSHA cited SeaWorld and restricted how humans interact with killer whales during performances. Those restrictions include a mandate that humans stay out of the water with killer whales unless there are physical barriers to reduce the risk of injury or death.



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Since opening in Orlando in 1964, SeaWorld has long been criticized by animal rights groups who alleged that the whale, dolphins and other sea creatures being kept in captivity and trained to perform tricks for people are being mistreated.

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The U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington, DC has upheld the fines and citations issued by OSHA against SeaWorld and has shot down SeaWorld's bid to overturn the lower court's ruling that the fines and citations were justified.

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As of September 20, 2023 there are: At least 176 orcas have died in captivity, not including 30 miscarried or still-born calves. SeaWorld holds 18 orcas in its three parks in the United States.

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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 appealed but the judges, in a 2-1 decision, agreed with OSHA's measures. “The administrative record establishes that SeaWorld did not lack fair notice because the hazard arising from trainers' close contact with killer whales in performance is preventable,” judges wrote.

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In October 2011, PETA filed a lawsuit against SeaWorld in behalf of five wild-captured orcas seeking a declaration that these five orcas are slaves and subjected to involuntary servitude in violation of the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

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In 2018, SeaWorld and former CEO James Atchison agreed to pay more than $5 million for misleading investors about the damage to its business from Blackfish.

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In an attempt to save face—and after California refused to allow it to build new orca tanks, SeaWorld agreed to stop breeding the animals. It began to distance itself from the controversy by moving away from using the “Shamu” name.

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On February 24, 2010, toward the end of a Dine with Shamu show at SeaWorld Orlando, the orca Tilikum pulled down an experienced trainer. Dawn Brancheau, a 40-year-old with extensive training experience, drowned as at least two dozen tourists looked on from above a whale tank and from an underwater viewing area.

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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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In 2022, SeaWorld Entertainment registered 1.73 billion U.S. dollars in revenue in the United States. This figured represented an increase of over 15 percent versus the previous year, when the theme park company recorded a revenue of 1.5 billion U.S. dollars.

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