The nation’s capital is a long way from SeaWorld San Diego, but The Washington Post has weighed into the “Blackfish” controversy with an editorial in Monday’s edition.
The editorial applauded the end of the icon Shamu show in San Diego, but called on parent SeaWorld Entertainment to end its captivity of killer whales.
“Any improvement in the treatment of these magnificent marine animals must be welcomed,” the editorial board wrote. “But it will take far more than a repackaging of the show to address the physical and psychological problems that orcas in captivity experience.”
The Post said SeaWorld Entertainment faces “particularly intense” pressure in California, where the Coastal Commission recently voted to ban breeding of the orcas in connection with a project to expand the whale environment at SeaWorld San Diego.
“The existing tanks would be put to far better use accommodating the injured animals that are a part of SeaWorld’s admirable rescue efforts,” the Post said. “Since breeding orcas only consigns future generations to captivity and its inherent cruelty, SeaWorld should voluntarily end the practice.”
SeaWorld is challenging the commission’s ruling as not part of the state body’s mandate.
