Jump to content

SeaWorld

Coordinates: 32°45′57″N 117°13′35″W / 32.7657°N 117.2263°W / 32.7657; -117.2263
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

SeaWorld
OpenedMarch 21, 1964; 60 years ago (1964-03-21)
Operating seasonYear-round
Attendance20.2 million (2021)[1]
Attractions
Total47
WebsiteOfficial website

32°45′57″N 117°13′35″W / 32.7657°N 117.2263°W / 32.7657; -117.2263

SeaWorld is an American theme park chain with headquarters in Orlando, Florida. It is a proprietor of marine mammal parks, oceanariums, animal theme parks, and rehabilitation centers owned by United Parks & Resorts. The parks host shows starring marine mammals, especially dolphins (including orcas) and pinnipeds (e.g. sea lions), as well as zoological displays featuring various other marine animals.

The parks also feature thrill rides, including roller coasters like Kraken, Mako and Manta at SeaWorld Orlando, which can also be found at SeaWorld San Diego, and Steel Eel and The Great White at SeaWorld San Antonio. Emperor, Arctic Rescue, and Electric Eel can be found at SeaWorld San Diego, with the first two being added in the past three years alone. Journey to Atlantis, a combination roller coaster and splashdown ride, can be found at all three parks.

There are operations located within the United States in Orlando, Florida; San Diego, California; San Antonio, Texas; later outside the United States such as Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; and previously Aurora, Ohio. On March 5, 2007, SeaWorld Orlando announced the addition of the Aquatica water park to its adventure park, which already includes SeaWorld and Discovery Cove.

The parks were bought in 1989 by Busch Entertainment Corp., the family entertainment division of Anheuser-Busch, which is best known for brewing beer. In 2009, Busch Entertainment was sold to the Blackstone Group and subsequently renamed SeaWorld Entertainment. In 2013, Blackstone sold 37% of SeaWorld Entertainment in an initial public offering and sold its remaining 21% holding to Zhonghong Zhuoye in 2017.[2] It is a major theme park competitor to Six Flags, Disney Experiences and Universal Destinations & Experiences.

The parks' marine mammal collections have been the subject of public debate and criticism over the years, with critics saying that the park's practices entail animal abuse. The 2013 documentary film Blackfish, produced after a SeaWorld Orlando trainer was killed by one of the park's orcas, led to initial decreases in attendance, profits and the company's share price. In 2018, SeaWorld's attendance and revenue began to recover with the addition of new rides, shows, and animal exhibits at its parks, as well as increased marketing about the parks' conservation and rescue efforts.[3]

In 2016, SeaWorld announced that they would end their in-park orca breeding program and eventually phase out their theatrical orca shows altogether (due to state legislation in California that banned shows using orcas) starting in San Diego.[4][5] It was announced later in the same year, that SeaWorld would build their first park without killer whales and outside of the United States in Abu Dhabi. In 2020, SeaWorld Orlando introduced its Orca Encounter presentation to guests.[6]

History

[edit]
Kasatka, one of SeaWorld San Diego's nine killer whales, performs during a routine Shamu Adventure show.
Trainer "surfing" on top of Katina, a killer whale at SeaWorld Orlando.
Marble, Porter, Jensen, Starbuck, Baretta, and Clyde performing in Blue Horizons at SeaWorld Orlando.

SeaWorld was founded in 1964 by Milton Shedd, Ken Norris, David Demott and George Millay. The four graduates of UCLA originally set out to build an underwater restaurant and marine life show.[7] When the underwater restaurant concept was deemed unfeasible, they scrapped those plans and decided to build a park instead, and SeaWorld San Diego was opened on March 21, 1964.[8] With only a few dolphins, sea lions, 6 attractions and 22 acres (89,000 m2), the park proved to be a success and more than 400,000 guests visited in the first 12 months.

After considering other locations in the midwest, including the Lake Milton/Newton Falls area west of Youngstown, Ohio, it was decided that Aurora, Ohio would be the new home of a SeaWorld. The park opened on May 29, 1970.[9] The Aurora site was approximately 15 miles (24 km) northwest of the Lake Milton site and 30 miles (48 km) southeast of Cleveland.[10] By this time, the founders of the company had captured a few more species of animals, including a killer whale that was brought to the new facility. The harsh winter climate permitted the park to be open only from mid-May until mid-September.

The Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida opened near the end of the second operating season of SeaWorld Ohio. The success of Disney in Orlando provided a location that was already popular with tourists. SeaWorld Orlando opened in 1973.

Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Inc. (HBJ) purchased the company in 1976 and 12 years later they built a new park in Texas. In 1988, SeaWorld San Antonio opened just a few miles outside of San Antonio.[11] Growth has pushed the city outwards and now SeaWorld San Antonio lies in the Westover Hills community in West San Antonio. The park was open year-round like its sister parks in California and Florida in 1988 and 1989, then went to a seasonal schedule.

In May 1987, Robert Maxwell's British Printing and Communication Corporation (BPCC) made an unsolicited bid to acquire HBJ.[12] HBJ defended itself from the hostile takeover attempt by going deeply into debt to make large cash payments to shareholders.[13] The strain of the debt from fighting off the takeover, as well as a strategic decision to re-focus on HBJ's core publishing and insurance businesses, were factors in HBJ's decision to sell its theme park holdings in 1989.[14][15]

The Anheuser-Busch Company made an offer to purchase the SeaWorld parks. HBJ also owned and operated two other parks, Cypress Gardens and Boardwalk and Baseball, and out of fear of not being able to find a buyer for the two other parks, HBJ refused to sell the parks individually. Despite a long negotiation, Anheuser-Busch bought all six parks in 1989: SeaWorld in San Diego, Aurora, Orlando and San Antonio as well as Cypress Gardens in Winter Haven and Boardwalk and Baseball in Haines City. Soon after the sale was final, Busch sold Cypress Gardens to the park's management and closed Boardwalk and Baseball.[16] Anheuser-Busch put millions of dollars back into the parks to revive and prolong their longevity. SeaWorld is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).[17]

In July 2008, Anheuser-Busch was purchased by Belgian-Brazilian brewer InBev.[18] InBev had a reputation as a cost-cutting company that would not be interested in holding non-beverage businesses.[19][20] In 2009, the combined AB InBev sold its Busch Entertainment division to the Blackstone Group. The company was renamed SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment in December 2009.[21] In 2013, Blackstone sold 37% of SEAS in an initial public offering.[22]

In 2016, SeaWorld admitted that it had been sending its employees to pose as activists to spy on animal rights organization PETA.[23] Following an investigation by an outside law firm, SeaWorld's Board of Directors directed management to end the practice.[24]

Current theme parks

[edit]
Locations of SeaWorld parks — Fully or jointly owned by SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment Owned by Miral Asset Management, licensed from SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment

SeaWorld San Diego

[edit]

SeaWorld San Diego, the first SeaWorld park, opened on March 21, 1964. The park features shows such as Sea Lions Live, a comedic show with sea lions and otters, Dolphin Days, a dolphin show, and Orca Encounter, an educational show about killer whales and their behavior in the wild. There are also many seasonal shows which are featured in the summer, notability Cirque Electrique. Rides include Shipwreck Rapids, an Intamin River Rapids ride, Manta, a Mack Rides Family Launch Coaster, Electric Eel, a Premier Rides Sky Rocket II, Journey to Atlantis, a Mack Rides Water Coaster, Emperor, a Bolliger & Mabillard dive coaster, and Arctic Rescue, an Intamin Family Launch Straddle Coaster. Electric Ocean is the park's nightly summer event featuring pop and electronic style music with lights and seasonal shows, Sea Lions Tonite (a nighttime Sea Lion show featuring spoofs of other SeaWorld shows and attractions), Atlantis Ignites (a tesla coil and projection show), and Cirque Electrique (a Cirque du Soleil-style show on the water that is an electric remaster of the original Cirque de la Mer show).

SeaWorld Orlando

[edit]

SeaWorld Orlando opened on December 15, 1973.[25] One Ocean, a killer whale show that premiered April 22, 2011, was hosted here, before being replaced with "Orca Encounter", along with, Dolphin Days, the park's dolphin show, and, a new show that made its debut on June 14, 2015, Clyde and Seamore's Sea Lion High.[26][27] This show was recently changed to Sea Lion & Otter Spotlight in mid 2021.[28] The park contains 3 main roller coasters, with a fourth opening in 2022, joined by one junior coaster. They are Kraken, a floorless coaster based on the mythical sea creature, Manta, a coaster designed to simulate how manta rays move, and Mako, a hyper coaster themed to the fastest shark in the ocean. All 3 are built by the manufacturer B&M, while Super Grover's Box Car Derby, a coaster oriented to kids located in the Sesame Street themed area of the park, is built by Zierer. SeaWorld Orlando's recent coaster is Ice Breaker, which opened in 2022, containing the steepest drop of all main SeaWorld Orlando coasters, and being built by Premier Rides. The Orlando park is also home to the original Journey to Atlantis, a intricately themed water coaster by Mack Rides. SeaWorld's Electric Ocean is SeaWorld Orlando's night program, featuring the fireworks show Ignite, a sea lion show Sea Lions Tonite, a dolphin show Touch The Sky and killer whale show Shamu's Celebration: Light Up the Night.[29][30]

SeaWorld San Antonio

[edit]

SeaWorld San Antonio opened on May 27, 1988.[11] Its formal opening over Memorial Day Weekend 1988 held about 75,000 people.[31] 3.3 million people visited SeaWorld San Antonio during its first year, 10% more than what was originally projected.[32] The park shows "Orca Encounter", an educational killer whale show; Ocean Discovery an educational show featuring dolphins and beluga whales; and Sea Lion & Otter Spotlight, a sea lion show following the sea lions Clyde and Seamore touring a marine conservation center. Parks rides include Wave Breaker: The Rescue Coaster, a double launch roller coaster, The Great White, an inverted roller coaster, Steel Eel, a roller coaster reaching a height of 150 feet,[33] and Journey to Atlantis, a water roller coaster into the mythical land of Atlantis and Texas Stingray a wooden steel hybrid Coaster.

SeaWorld Abu Dhabi

[edit]

In 2008, Busch Entertainment had previously announced plans to open a fourth SeaWorld park in Dubai, UAE,[34] but those plans were abandoned amidst the international financial crisis.[35] In May 2014, SeaWorld announced renewed plans to build a park in the Middle East, but did not specify a timeline or specific location.[36] On December 13, 2016, SeaWorld announced that it would open its first overseas theme park on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, UAE in 2022.[37] It would also be the first franchised SeaWorld park. SeaWorld had announced that in October 2022, the park was 90% completed and was almost open. Finally, on May 24, 2023, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi opened to the public.[38]

SeaWorld Ohio sale, rebirth, and eventual transition

[edit]

In February 2001, Anheuser-Busch sold the SeaWorld Ohio park to Six Flags, Inc., operators of neighboring Six Flags Ohio (initially Geauga Lake until 2000).[39] Upon completion of the sale, the two parks were combined in spring 2001 as the so-called "mega-park" "Six Flags Worlds of Adventure", which boasted its "three parks in one" uniqueness: a waterpark, an amusement park, and a wildlife animal park, all included in one price of admission.[40] SeaWorld executives replied that their park was sold because of the short season of the animal park, Northeastern Ohio's cold winter months, and also because they were not able to get the necessary permits to build roller coasters like the other SeaWorld properties had been able to.[citation needed]

In March 2004, Six Flags announced that it had sold Six Flags Worlds of Adventure to Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, operators of the Cedar Point amusement park in Sandusky, Ohio. Cedar Fair returned the park to its original Geauga Lake name and stripped the park itself of all Looney Tunes and DC Comics branding, including walk around character costumes pertaining to either franchise, since the company did not have the licensing rights. Since Six Flags retained ownership of the animals, the majority of the animal portion of the park, including all of the exhibits and animal stadiums, was either emptied or fenced off for the 2004 season.[41]

After a nearly season-long wait, the Cedar Fair company announced its plans for the non-operational side. That entire portion of the land would become an immense waterpark, Wildwater Kingdom, opening in two phases, with the first phase in 2005, followed by the second phase in 2006. This decision marked the end of the marine-life park permanently.[42]

All of the animal stadiums and buildings were next torn down or converted into other venues. Some of the SeaWorld property remained intact, albeit hidden or modified. What remained included the former seal and sea lion area, the Ski Stadium (to be used in a Lumberjack show in 2006), the aquarium (to be used for unknown purposes), and two movie theater houses/simulators, once housing 3D/4D movies. The Ski Stadium was removed in 2008 to make way for Coconut Cove, a refreshment station/observation area.

All of these, except for Wildwater Kingdom, closed in 2007. Wildwater Kingdom closed after the 2016 season.[42]

Orcas

[edit]
Takara demonstrating a breaching move during the Believe show at SeaWorld Orlando.

SeaWorld's main attraction is its killer whales, several of which are housed in 5.8-million-US-gallon (22,000 m3) tanks (equivalent to nine Olympic sized swimming pools)[43] that are each known as Shamu Stadium. Shamu was the name of the first killer whale brought to SeaWorld San Diego in the 1960s from the Seattle Marine Aquarium. 'Shamu' is now used as a stage name for killer whales in performances at SeaWorld parks. Currently, SeaWorld houses 18 killer whales in its three parks.

Organizations such as World Animal Protection and the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society campaign against the captivity of dolphins and killer whales; SeaWorld, which holds most of the world's captive killer whales, is cited for its role.

Killer whale captivity is a widely debated topic. Regarding anatomy, captive killer whales can exhibit collapsed dorsal fins. However, this trait has been witnessed in the wild and a prominent theory proposes this phenomenon can occur when any orcas live in relatively warmer conditions. Though, since captive orcas are more likely to breach, rising up to warmer waters, captivity itself can increase the temperature in which these whales live. Some evidence has shown that the condition can manifest in individuals after a month in captivity.[46] Some argue that aggression among captive killer whales is common, whilst others claim that this also occurs in the wild. In August 1989, a dominant female killer whale, Kandu V, attempted to rake a newcomer whale, Corky II, with her mouth during a live show and smashed her head into a wall. Kandu V broke her jaw, which severed an artery, and then bled to death.[47] In November 2006, a dominant female killer whale, Kasatka, repeatedly dragged experienced trainer, Ken Peters, to the bottom of the stadium pool during a show after hearing her calf crying for her in the back pools.[48] In February 2010, an experienced female trainer at SeaWorld Orlando, Dawn Brancheau, was killed by killer whale Tilikum shortly after a show in Shamu Stadium.[49] The whale had been associated with the deaths of two people previously.[47][50] In May 2012, administrative law judge Ken Welsch upheld two Occupational Safety and Health Administration citations after Dawn Brancheau's death, including one directly related to her death, and fined the company a total of $12,000.[51] Trainers were banned from making close contact with the whales.[52] In April 2014 the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia denied an appeal by SeaWorld.[53] On December 22, 2015, an 18-year old SeaWorld orca, Unna, died from a fungal infection at the SeaWorld Park in San Antonio, Texas.[54]

Blackfish

[edit]

In 2013, SeaWorld's treatment of killer whales in captivity was the basis of the film Blackfish, which documents the history of Tilikum, a killer whale captured by SeaLand of the Pacific (and later rescued by SeaWorld Orlando) who has been involved in the deaths of three people.[55] In the aftermath of the release of the film, Martina McBride, 38 Special, REO Speedwagon, Cheap Trick, Heart, Barenaked Ladies, Trisha Yearwood, and Willie Nelson canceled scheduled concerts at SeaWorld parks.[56][57]

SeaWorld’s response

[edit]

SeaWorld disputes the accuracy of the film, calling it "propaganda" and "emotionally manipulative". SeaWorld spent $15 million on an advertising campaign countering the allegations and emphasizing its contributions to the study of whales and their conservation.[43]

In August 2014, SeaWorld announced it planned to build new killer whale tanks that would be almost double the size of the existing ones to provide more space for its whales, scheduled for completion in 2018.[58] The company maintained the move was not in response to the release of the Blackfish documentary. Wild killer whales may travel up to 160 kilometres (100 mi) in a day and critics say the animals are too big and intelligent to be suitable for captivity.[59]

In 2016 SeaWorld announced that they no longer had plans to complete the expansion project.[60]

PETA, which opposes whales being kept in captivity, has proposed the theme park operator base its whales in seaside sanctuaries.[61] The company also pledged $10 million in matching funds for killer whale research.[58] The plans to increase the size of the tanks in San Diego were put on hold in October 2015 after the California Coastal Commission ruled that the work could only go ahead if they banned captive breeding, which would eventually lead to end of killer whale shows at the park.[62]

On March 17, 2016, SeaWorld announced the end of their breeding program, which signifies the last generation of orcas in captivity in their care, though Takara was still pregnant at the time.[63] Theatrical orca shows ended at SeaWorld San Diego in 2017 and ended in Orlando and San Antonio in 2019.[63]

Financial backlash

[edit]

In November 2014, SeaWorld announced that attendance at the parks had dropped 5.2% from the previous year, profits had fallen 28% over that quarter, and the company's stock was down 50% from the previous year.[64][65][66]

From 2014 to 2015, net income in the second quarter fell 84% from $37.4 million to $5.8 million, while revenue fell from $405 million to $392 million.[67]

In February 2020, SeaWorld announced a $65 million settlement with investors who alleged that the company had deceived them about the documentary's effect on park attendance.[68]

Animal rescue and rehabilitation program

[edit]

SeaWorld operates its conservation program in cooperation with the Department of the Interior, National Marine Fisheries Service and state agencies; its rescue and rehabilitation program was developed to comply with the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 and the Endangered Species Act of 1973.[69] Since its inception SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment has rescued and helped more than 40,000 animals, including ill, orphaned or abandoned and injured manatees, dolphins, pilot whales, sea turtles, and birds.[70][71][72][73] As part of its animal rehabilitation program, SeaWorld has claimed the first birth of a killer whale in captivity, the first birth of a marine mammal via artificial insemination and the first hatching of captive green sea turtles. While acknowledging the value of these programs, critics and animal rights advocates have questioned SeaWorld's balance of conservation and education alongside the commercial activities of its theme parks.[74] In 1998, SeaWorld, with the help of the US Coast Guard, released the gray whale J.J. after the whale was rehabilitated at SeaWorld San Diego for 14 months.[75]

Groups concerned for the health and safety of SeaWorld's captive killer whale population have asked for the animals to be released. SeaWorld has defended their decision to keep the animals by citing their inability to survive in the wild after years of captivity.[76]

Response to drive hunt capture allegations

[edit]

In response to claims leveled at SeaWorld and other marine parks by the 2009 movie The Cove which accuses them of obtaining dolphins taken in drive hunts, SeaWorld spokesperson Fred Jacobs stated that, "We think we're being unfairly criticized for something we're opposed to." It is illegal to bring drive hunt animals into the United States.[77] He adds that, "SeaWorld opposes the dolphin hunts documented in The Cove. We do not purchase any animals from these hunts. More than 80 percent of the marine mammals in our care were born in our parks. We haven't collected a dolphin from the wild in decades."[78] Since 1993, there have been no permits issued to facilities in the United States to import dolphins acquired through drive hunt methods.[79] Marilee Menard, the executive director of the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums, has also stated that she believes that The Cove filmmakers are "misrepresenting that the majority of zoos and aquariums with dolphins around the world are taking these animals. "[77]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Number of visitors to SeaWorld Entertainment parks from 2010 to 2021". Retrieved January 5, 2023.
  2. ^ Ramakrishnan, Sruthi (March 24, 2017). "China's Zhonghong Zhuoye to buy Blackstone's stake in SeaWorld". Reuters. Archived from the original on March 24, 2017. Retrieved March 26, 2017.
  3. ^ Tonya Garcia (August 7, 2018). "SeaWorld stock soars 18% as visitors return to its parks". www.marketwatch.com. MarketWatch, Inc. Retrieved October 10, 2018.
  4. ^ "SeaWorld to End Killer Whale Breeding Program". ABC News. March 17, 2016. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  5. ^ "SeaWorld Agrees To End Captive Breeding of Killer Whales". NPR.
  6. ^ Bevil, Dewayne. "New 'Orca Encounter' show joins SeaWorld Orlando lineup". orlandosentinel.com. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
  7. ^ "Milton Shedd, 79, Co-Founder of SeaWorld". The New York Times. Associated Press. May 28, 2002. Retrieved June 4, 2009.
  8. ^ "Watch, Touch and Explore at SeaWorld". The Evening Independent. June 13, 1974. Retrieved June 4, 2009.
  9. ^ Rose, Cindy (May 30, 1970). "Killer Whale Whacks Ball and Sea World Sets Sail". Akron Beacon Journal. pp. B6.
  10. ^ Markowitz, Jack (July 27, 1972). "SeaWorld: Whales in Blue-Collar Land". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved June 4, 2009.
  11. ^ a b "1988: San Antonio welcomes Shamu and SeaWorld". Archived from the original on March 10, 2014.
  12. ^ "British Printing Bide [sic] $1.73 Billion For Harcourt". Wall Street Journal. May 19, 1987. p. 1.
  13. ^ "HBJ TO FIGHT TAKEOVER WITH RECAPITALIZATION". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved February 4, 2022.
  14. ^ "Anheuser-Busch Buys Sea World, Other Theme Parks From Harcourt". AP NEWS. Retrieved February 4, 2022.
  15. ^ Albright, Mark (June 21, 1989). "Sea World, other parks up for sale". St. Petersburg Times. p. 1A.
  16. ^ Bachelder, Maryemma (February 24, 1995). "A history of the gardens". The Ledger. Retrieved June 4, 2009.
  17. ^ AZA Accreditation List
  18. ^ McWilliams, Jeremiah; Tomich, Jeffrey; Tablac, Angela (July 14, 2008). "Farewell to the King". St. Louis Post Dispatch. p. A1.
  19. ^ "InBev has reputation of 'machete-wielding' company". STLPR. June 13, 2008. Retrieved February 4, 2022.
  20. ^ Virginian-Pilot, The. "Anheuser-Busch theme parks are likely to be sold after takeover". pilotonline.com. Retrieved February 4, 2022.
  21. ^ by (December 1, 2009). "Busch Entertainment changes name to SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment". Attractions Magazine. Retrieved February 4, 2022.
  22. ^ Dezember, Ryan (April 22, 2013). "The Many Ways Blackstone Made Money on SeaWorld's IPO". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved April 23, 2013.
  23. ^ Bever, Lindsey (February 25, 2016). "Beleaguered SeaWorld admits employees spied on animal-rights activists". Washington Post.
  24. ^ Pedicini, Sandra (February 25, 2016). "SeaWorld admits employees posed as animal activists to spy on critics". Orlando Sentinel.
  25. ^ "Theme park history: A short history of SeaWorld Orlando".
  26. ^ "Orlando Sentinel". Retrieved July 12, 2015.
  27. ^ Bevil, Dewayne (August 8, 2014). "SeaWorld: Here's your last chance to see 'Clyde and Seamore Take Pirate Island'". OrlandoSentinel.com. Orlando Sentinel.
  28. ^ "SeaWorld Orlando reimagines sea lion, otter show". clickorlando.com. July 8, 2021.
  29. ^ Bevil, Dewayne (May 21, 2009). "Weekend outlook: Star Wars Weekends, SeaWorld After Dark, 5th Dimension, Mr. Potato Head". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved June 6, 2009.
  30. ^ "SeaWorld Orlando debuts new Shamu show". tribunedigital-orlandosentinel. Archived from the original on June 29, 2014. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
  31. ^ Hayes, Thomas C. (June 19, 1988). "Texas Picks Up the Pieces". The New York Times. Retrieved June 6, 2009.
  32. ^ Hayes, Thomas C. (August 14, 1989). "Harcourt Near Sale of SeaWorld". The New York Times. Retrieved June 6, 2009.
  33. ^ "Steel Eel at SeaWorld San Antonio - CoasterBuzz". coasterbuzz.com. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  34. ^ "C'mon in, Shamu: The Dubai water is fine - USATODAY.com". www.usatoday.com. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  35. ^ McClung, Ryan (February 4, 2009). "Dubai Busch Gardens, SeaWorld plans canceled". www.lifthill.com. Archived from the original on March 10, 2014. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  36. ^ Garcia, Jason. "SeaWorld strikes deal for Middle Eastern park". tribunedigital-orlandosentinel. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  37. ^ Geranpayeh, Sarvy (December 13, 2016). "Up next: SeaWorld to make a splash in Abu Dhabi". GulfNews.
  38. ^ SeaWorld Abu Dhabi will be open to visitors May 24, 2023
  39. ^ Joey Morona, cleveland com (March 14, 2016). "Sea World Ohio: Old photos of Cleveland's forgotten theme park". cleveland. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
  40. ^ "Six Flags Creates New Mega Park in Ohio". www.ultimaterollercoaster.com. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
  41. ^ "The Blade | Toledo's breaking news, sports, and entertainment watchdog". The Blade. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
  42. ^ a b Susan Glaser, cleveland com (August 29, 2016). "Geauga Lake timeline, from the Big Dipper to Six Flags to Cedar Fair". cleveland. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
  43. ^ a b Rupert Neate (November 6, 2015). "SeaWorld fights to restore its image as shares sink in the wake of Blackfish". The Guardian.
  44. ^ Entertainment, SeaWorld Parks &. "Orca Profile Pages | SeaWorld Cares". seaworldcares.com. Retrieved February 16, 2018.
  45. ^ "New 'Baby Blackfish' Born at SeaWorld – Aka 'Baby Shamu'". Candace Calloway Whiting. December 7, 2013. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  46. ^ "Why some killer whales have curved fins". Business Insider.
  47. ^ a b Parsons, E. C. M. (2012). "Killer Whale Killers". Tourism in Marine Environments. 8 (3): 153–160. doi:10.3727/154427312X13491835451494.
  48. ^ Kirby, David (July 24, 2012). "Near Death At SeaWorld: Worldwide Exclusive Video". The Huffington Post. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
  49. ^ "SeaWorld trainer killed by killer whale". CNN. February 25, 2010. Retrieved February 24, 2010.
  50. ^ Garcia, Jason; Jacobson, Susan (February 25, 2010). "Animal trainer killed at SeaWorld". Los Angeles Times.
  51. ^ "Secretary of Labor, Complainant v. SeaWorld of Florida - Decision and Order" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on June 8, 2012. Retrieved June 13, 2012.
  52. ^ Karlamangla, Soumya (November 13, 2013). "Killer whales: Court weighs lifting ban on trainer-orca contact". Los Angeles Times.
  53. ^ Kuo, Vivian (April 11, 2014). "SeaWorld appeal of OSHA citations denied - CNN.com". CNN. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  54. ^ Forsyth, Jim. "A SeaWorld killer whale dies at San Antonio park". Business Insider. Reuters. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  55. ^ Whiting, Candace Calloway. In the Wake of Blackfish -- Is it Time to Retire the Last Killer Whale Whose Capture Was Shown in the Film?", TheHuffingtonPost.com, Inc., October 29, 2013. Retrieved October 29, 2013.
  56. ^ Duke, Alan (December 16, 2013). "Martina McBride, 38 Special, cancel SeaWorld gig over 'Blackfish' - CNN.com". CNN.
  57. ^ Streisand, Elizabeth Durand, "Bands Back Out of SeaWorld Concerts Because of 'Blackfish'" Yahoo! News December 9, 2013
  58. ^ a b Pedicini, Sandra (August 15, 2014). "SeaWorld to expand killer-whale habitat at its parks". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved August 16, 2014.
  59. ^ "Whale Attack Renews Captive Animal Debate". CBS News. Associated Press. March 1, 2010. Retrieved March 7, 2010.
  60. ^ "SeaWorld San Diego officially cancels plans for $100 million orca tank expansion". Inside the Magic. Inside the Magic. April 21, 2016. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
  61. ^ "SeaWorld to redesign tank for Killer Whales amid public criticism". The Orlando News.Net. August 16, 2014. Retrieved August 16, 2014.
  62. ^ Martin, Hugo; Masunaga, Samantha (October 10, 2015). "What the Coastal Commission's ban on orca breeding means for SeaWorld". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  63. ^ a b Howard, Brian Clark (March 17, 2016). "SeaWorld to End Controversial Orca Shows and Breeding". National Geographic News. Archived from the original on March 19, 2016.
  64. ^ Omberg, Emily, "SeaWorld's financial struggles from 'Blackfish' affecting Busch Gardens", Orlando Sun Times, November 18, 2014
  65. ^ Omberg, Emily, "SeaWorld losing revenue, attendance and profit because of "Blackfish"", Orlando Sun Times, November 12, 2014
  66. ^ Trigaux, Robert, "As SeaWorld suffers 'Blackfish' impact, Busch Gardens suffers, too", Tampa Bay Times, November 17, 2014
  67. ^ Neate, Rupert (August 6, 2015). "SeaWorld sees profits plunge 84% as customers desert controversial park". The Guardian. Retrieved September 9, 2015.
  68. ^ Weisberg, Lori (February 11, 2020). "SeaWorld will pay $65 million to settle investors' 'Blackfish' lawsuit". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
  69. ^ Hillard, James M. Aquariums of North America: A Guidebook to Appreciating North America's Aquatic Treasures, p. 50. Scarecrow Press, Jan 1, 1995 ISBN 9780810829237
  70. ^ "SeaWorld San Antonio Transports Rehabilitated Manatee via U.S. Coast Guard Plane to Sister Park in Orlando, FL". U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. U.S. Fish & Whildlife Service. Retrieved June 11, 2015.
  71. ^ "SeaWorld rescues week-old manatee". Bay News 13. April 25, 2013. Retrieved July 29, 2013.
  72. ^ Pedicini, Sandra (July 4, 2015). "SeaWorld rescue program marks record year". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved November 24, 2015.
  73. ^ "Answering The Call: SeaWorld San Diego". Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  74. ^ Edwards, Larry M (December 2004). "Looking Back and Ahead". San Diego Magazine: 78–. ISSN 0036-4045.
  75. ^ Perry, Tony (April 1, 1998). "Rescued Whale J.J. Begins Long Journey Home". LA Times. Retrieved August 25, 2015.
  76. ^ "Controversial SeaWorld Orca Shows End in California, but Continue Elsewhere". January 4, 2017. Archived from the original on January 6, 2017. Retrieved February 24, 2018.
  77. ^ a b Mieszkowski, Katharine (August 7, 2009), "Dolphins Are Dying to Amuse Us", Salon, retrieved June 7, 2011
  78. ^ "The Cove's Shocking Discovery", The Oprah Winfrey Show, April 22, 2010, retrieved June 7, 2011
  79. ^ Rose, Naomi A.; E.C.M. Parsons; Richard Farinato (2009). "The Case Against Marine Mammals in Captivity" (PDF). The Humane Society of the United States and World Animal Protection. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
[edit]