God has appointed humans to be the loving stewards of His creation (Genesis 1:28). Sadly, SeaWorld has a long, cruel legacy of ungodly abuse of marine animals, whom the Lord sees as “good” (Genesis 1:20-25). Here are some of the most well-known animal welfare issues discovered in these parks.
Tiny tanks. Magnificent sea animals, such as dolphins and whales, are confined in tanks so small they can’t engage in natural behaviors like diving deep or swimming far. These tanks are so small that they would be the equivalent of us being stuck in a bathtub. These animals are stuck in small cells with little to do, swimming in endless circles.
Breeding dolphins and whales: In nature, belugas and dolphins maintain dynamic relationships with large social networks, choose their own mates, and swim freely in the ocean. But at SeaWorld, they’re used as breeding machines to create generation after generation of animals who are also imprisoned for life in small concrete tanks. SeaWorld continues to masturbate male dolphins and sexually abuse female dolphins by tearing them out of the water and sometimes drugging them so they can’t fight back while staff shove tubes filled with semen into their uteruses. Some animals endure this process repeatedly, only for their babies to die or be shipped off to other SeaWorld parks.
Free Corky! SeaWorld’s oldest living victim, an approximately 60-year-old orca named Corky, is a testament to the cruelty of SeaWorld. This intelligent, feeling individual was abducted in 1969 as a young orca, taken from her family and natural habitat, and forced into a lifetime of confinement. At another now-defunct marine park, Corky was used as a breeding machine, and in the span of a decade, she birthed seven babies who didn’t live past 47 days. She was transferred to SeaWorld in 1987, where her last dead baby was found at the bottom of a tank. Read more about Corky’s tragic life story and sign our petition to have her released to a reputable sanctuary.
These are just a few examples of SeaWorld’s cruelty, and it is no place for compassionate visitors. However, there are plenty of other animal-friendly alternative places to visit this Summer!
- Star Wars: Galaxy Edge at both US Disney parks won PETA’s Vegan Superstar Award for offering tons of delicious vegan food options! Fight the Dark Forces of cruelty to animals by opting for these compassionate meal options and animal-friendly entertainment.
- Animal-free water parks are a fun way to beat the heat! The whole family can enjoy a day in the water without exploiting aquatic animals. Water slides are always a lot more fun than watching animals perform in degrading shows.
- Visit a local animal sanctuary to learn more about different species and offer to volunteer for the day. Be sure to check with the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries to be sure you’re supporting a reputable facility.
This Summer, it’s essential we make compassionate decisions with our travel plans and avoid marine parks and any other businesses that abuse animals for entertainment and profit. All of God’s creatures deserve to live the lives God has ordained for us, free from cruel confinement. Download our free Creation Care Toolkit for more ideas on how to make compassionate choices that benefit all of God’s beloved individuals.
