BBC News, 16
August 2014
 |
| The new tanks will be twice the size as the current ones, which animal rights groups say are too small |
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US marine theme park SeaWorld has announced it is to build a bigger tank for its killer whales, amid criticism of its treatment of the animals.
But the
Florida company said that the plans were not in response to last year's
documentary film "Blackfish".
The film
suggested that captivity and SeaWorld's treatment provoked violent behaviour in
the killer whales.
The high
profile death of a trainer in front of a live audience in 2010 sparked
worldwide outrage.
SeaWorld
CEO Jim Atchinson said in a statement on Friday that the new tank, to be
completed by 2018, would "transform how visitors experience killer
whales".
"Our guests will be able to walk alongside the whales as if they were at the shore, watch them interact at the depths found in the ocean, or a bird's eye view from above."
 |
| The 2013 film 'Blackfish' argued that whales in captivity become traumatised and turn violent |
"Our guests will be able to walk alongside the whales as if they were at the shore, watch them interact at the depths found in the ocean, or a bird's eye view from above."
The new
tank will be almost twice the size of its current orca tank, with 10 million
gallons of water and a new depth of 50 feet (15m), and will include larger
viewing points for visitors.
But Peta
(People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) criticised the plans, calling
them a "desperate move".
"A
bigger prison is still a prison," it said in a statement.
The animal
rights group warned that nothing but moving the orcas to seaside sanctuaries to
feel and experience the ocean again and hear their families would "save
the company", which has seen its profits slump in the past year since it
went public.
 |
| Dawn Brancheau was killed by the whale 'Tilikum', whilst performing in a show at SeaWorld in 2010 |
Peta filed
a lawsuit against SeaWorld in 2012 and named five killer whales as plaintiffs,
arguing that they deserved the same constitutional protection from slavery as
humans.
Dawn
Brancheau, 40, who had more than 16 years of experience in killer whale shows
was killed whilst performing with "Tilikum".
She died
from drowning and traumatic injuries after the whale bit and dragged her
underwater in front of an audience.
Related Articles:
 |
Killer
whales have been thrilling whale watchers this week in Puget Sound. But
they were
especially exciting Tuesday when nearly three dozen orcas surrounded
the ferry from Seattle as it approached the
terminal on Bainbridge Island. NOAA
Fisheries
Service photo by Candice Emmons
|
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