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SeaWorld justifies keeping killer whales in captivity by claiming their research studies, which cannot be conducted on wild populations, benefit the species. However, according to an article in Slate, an investigation of SeaWorld’s 52 research papers by Ingrid Visser, a marine biologist with New Zealand’s Orca Research Trust, shows that “SeaWorld may have systematically misrepresented the research resulting from work with captive orcas.” The article lists many examples of SeaWorld’s duplicity, but what stands out the most is their inclusion vitamin supplement and artificial insemination studies, which are “unlikely to be useful to wild populations.”

Photo: CTV News

Companies like SeaWorld and Ringling Bros not only confine and abuse the earth’s largest and most intelligent mammals (whales & elephants), they also portray themselves as advocates and conservationists for the same animals. Their duplicity is maddening. Thankfully, undercover investigations and documentaries like Blackfish are blowing their cover. To see how you can help orcas kept in tanks, please visit Blackfish’ Take Action page.

As part of Sea World’s efforts to restore its reputation after the documentary Blackfish tarnished it, the company hired 15-year old Bindi Irwin, a self-declared conservationist, to be a paid spokesperson. Bob Irwin, Bindi’s grandfather who runs a conservation foundation, used the news of Bindi’s new job to speak out against whales in captivity.

Bindi Irwin promotes Sea World on Good Morning America

Steve Irwin, who made a career out of provoking wild animals for his TV shows, was killed by an angry sting ray in 2006. Will karma pay an unexpected visit to his daughter too? The Irwin moguls appear to be animal abusers disguised as conservationists. Sign the petition asking Bindi to step down as a “Sea World Ambassador.”

After watching Blackfish, the documentary film about captive orcas at Sea World, Virgin Airlines CEO Richard Branson instructed his tour company Virgin Holidays to refrain from booking travel “with any organization that won’t guarantee that they won’t display dolphins and whales that are taken from the wild,” according to the Seattle Post Intelligencer.

The capture of Lolita, who is now at the Miami Seaquarim

The impact of Blackfish can’t be overstated: musicians are canceling their Sea World performances; protests are on the rise and ticket sales are declining. The whole world is watching. But we can’t be complacent because Sea World is a multi-billion dollar company that will stop at nothing to protect their biggest attraction: the killer whale shows. To be a voice for the orcas, please visit the Take Action on the Blackfish website.