SeaWorld often keeps dolphins, whales, and other animals trapped with incompatible tankmates. The tension leads to fights and even fatal injuries. Staff members drug some animals to try to relieve their endless frustration.
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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.
PETA notes that “dolphins [at SeaWorld] are being impregnated, sometimes forcefully after being drugged.” Even moreso, PETA highlights how although orca whales generally stick within their pods their whole lifetime in the wild, “SeaWorld transfers orcas between facilities to regularly 'balance' the genetic pool of ...
The decline in attendance at SeaWorld led to a 1.7% drop in quarterly revenue, from $504.8 million in 2022 to $496 million this year, according to the report.
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.
During the second quarter, 6.3 million people visited SeaWorld parks, including the marine park in San Diego. That's up by nearly 8% from the same period last year, but still down 3% from the second quarter of 2019, the company said.
SeaWorld often keeps dolphins, whales, and other animals trapped with incompatible tankmates. The tension leads to fights and even fatal injuries. Staff members drug some animals to try to relieve their endless frustration.
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.
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.
In the year following Blackfish's release, SeaWorld's attendance dropped by one million visitors. In 2014, the company announced an 84% fall in income and saw its share price drop by 33%, although they attributed this to 'the seasonal nature of the business' and not due to the impact of the documentary.
SeaWorld Orlando allows guests to re-enter the park with a proper hand stamp and valid admissions ticket. Before leaving SeaWorld Orlando, guests must get their hand stamped.
Taking action for animals trapped at SeaWorld has never been easier. Dozens of businesses—including JetBlue, Mattel, Mott's, Southwest Airlines, STA Travel, and Taco Bell—have severed ties with SeaWorld, yet companies such as AAA and Adventure Student Travel have refused to do the right thing.