SeaWorld will phase out orca show in San Diego
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SeaWorld, in a move to rebuild its brand and combat declining attendance, will phase out its traditional Shamu show in San Diego and replace it with one that is less about tricks and more about orcas' natural behaviors in the wild. Next year will be the last for the show and coming in 2017 will be what SeaWorld Entertainment describes as a new orca experience, designed to take place in a more natural setting. The announcement, made during a Monday morning presentation by senior SeaWorld executives, is part of a multi-pronged effort by the Orlando company to refocus the public's attention on its conservation efforts.
Read more from The San Diego Union-Tribune.
Also: View the deck presented to investors by the executive team regarding SeaWorld Entertainments strategy moving forward.
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There are some screenshots in that deck that look familiar. (w00t and stuff.)
Jeff - Editor - CoasterBuzz.com - My Blog
Glad to see that they are investing more on new attractions and experiences, rather than shows with live animals. They, then, use the revenue toward the animal rescue. More rides for us, more support for the animals. I think it's a good win-win!
The thing is, the activists really didn't win a whole lot. Sure, there won't be any more shows in front of thousands of people at once, but that doesn't mean what they did during the shows will suddenly stop. The (slightly prettied up) "tricks" they did are actually largely natural actions and were important parts of their physical and mental stimulation. The only thing that will change is the capacity of guests watching them do these things at any one time (possibly down to 0 if they move these activities backstage to control guests getting wet).
Original BlueStreak64
We are very hypocritical when it comes to animals (and a lot of other things). You are in a much better place if you are cute and cuddly or can do work for us or entertain us than you are if you taste good grilled. And much of that varies by culture.
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