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Attendance, sales and profit have slumped at Orlando-based SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, dragged down by a soft economy, negative publicity and a weak slate of new attractions. Three killer whales in the company's care died unexpectedly. And a trainer at SeaWorld Orlando was violently killed by a 6-ton killer whale, a tragedy that triggered government investigations and private lawsuits and forever altered the company's hallmark orca shows.
SeaWorld, with Blackstone's backing, has launched the biggest construction spree in company history, with capital spending expected to approach nearly $200 million next year.
Read more from The Orlando Sentinel.