A California lawmaker on Monday praised SeaWorld’s decision to phase out the killer whale performances at its park in San Diego, though he is pushing for more action.
In a statement, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) described the decision as “a welcome step along the path towards ending the captivity of these magnificent creatures.”
{mosads}”Much more needs to be done, however, and I would urge the company to curtail the breeding of their orcas and partner in the creation of ocean sanctuaries,” Schiff said.
Schiff announced a bill on Friday to phase out the use of those killer whales in captivity and prohibit the capture and breeding of future animals.
SeaWorld said Monday it would phase out their Shamu killer whale exhibition at their San Diego park in 2016, according to a company document highlighted in reports.
The company said a “new orca experience debuts in 2017,” focused on an “informative and more natural setting” that stresses a “conservation message.”
“The new experience will engage and inform guests by highlighting more of the species’ natural behaviors,” SeaWorld said in a press release about the change.
SeaWorld announced the move amid an update on other changes in the works for its parks in San Diego, Orlando and San Antonio.
SeaWorld has long been criticized over the captivity of the orcas, which critics describe as cruel. The shows will reportedly continue at parks in Orlando and San Antonio.
Wayne Pacelle, president of the Humane Society of the United States, called on SeaWorld to phase out its orca shows at all of its facilities and end its breeding program.
“An end to SeaWorld’s tawdry circus-style shows is inevitable and necessary, but it’s captivity that denies these far-ranging orcas everything that is natural and important to them,” PETA said in a statement on Monday.
“The fact still remains that as long as SeaWorld holds orcas in captivity, the physical and psychological problems associated with their captivity will persist,” Schiff said.