Florida moves to ban captive orca shows and breeding
Move follows release of documentary alleging mistreatment of whales at SeaWorld
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A Florida bill would ban killer whale breeding and shows, seeking to enshrine in law SeaWorld’s move away from orca-based entertainment.
Prompted in part by the release of a documentary alleging mistreatment of orcas at SeaWorld, states that host the popular aquatic theme parks have sought to prohibit captive breeding and orca performances.
SeaWorld responded by announcing it would halt its captive breeding programmes and move towards educational orca features.
After failing on an initial attempt, California passed a law in 2016 that outlawed breeding orcas and holding them in captivity for “display, performance, or entertainment purposes”. One of SeaWorld’s locations is in San Diego.
Now elected officials in Florida, home to an Orlando location, are seeking to pass a similar measure. A new bill would bar holding orcas for entertainment purposes, mandating they be used “for educational presentations only”.
“If return to the wild is not possible, the orca may be used for educational presentations, but may not be used for breeding, performance, or entertainment purposes,” the bill says.
In a statement explaining its shift from orca shows to orca education, SeaWorld described new “natural orca encounters” that would “focus on the research, education, care and respect that align with our mission to advance the well-being and conservation of these beautiful creatures”.
Given those changes, SeaWorld told the Miami Herald the proposed law was unnecessary.
“The legislation is unneeded and distracts from the great work being done to positively impact Florida’s wildlife,” the company said in a statement.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments