It's the end of an era at San Diego's SeaWorld, where the park's emblematic killer whale shows are going to be phased out entirely beginning next year. The "Shamu shows" will be replaced in 2017 with an "informative" orca experience that will carry a "conservation message inspiring people to act," SeaWorld Entertainment announced on Monday, as reported by The San Diego Union-Tribune.
The announcement comes following years of heavy criticism about how the marine theme park treats its whales. The controversy was sparked in part by the 2013 documentary Blackfish, which was heavily aired on CNN. SeaWorld has scrambled to repair its image in the film's wake, even as attendance has declined. Most recently, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) said Friday that he would introduce federal legislation banning the breeding of captive orcas, end the capture of wild orcas, and stop their import, export, and participation in shows.
In SeaWorld's press announcement, there was no mention of ending the killer whale shows in their two other namesake parks, in Orlando and San Antonio.
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