Wednesday, April 2, 2014

SeaWorld lobbies against California bill to ban 'Shamu' shows

Visitors are greeted by an Orca killer whale as they attend a show featuring the whales during a visit to the animal theme park SeaWorld in San Diego, California By Sharon Bernstein SACRAMENTO, California (Reuters) - SeaWorld executives urged California lawmakers on Wednesday not to pass a bill banning live performances and captive breeding of killer whales, a move that would force the company's San Diego marine theme park to end its popular "Shamu" shows. Executives met with lawmakers and aides in private meetings over two days, and it was the first time in years that SeaWorld hired an outside lobbyist to advance its interests. Many consumers are re-thinking the company's use of marine mammal parks in the wake of last year's film "Blackfish," which dealt with the treatment of killer whales at SeaWorld parks and the death of a trainer in 2010. "This film was a piece of propaganda and an attempt to exploit a tragic incident," John Reilly, president of SeaWorld's flagship San Diego park, told lawmakers and legislative aides attending a briefing in the state capital on Wednesday.








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