Activists say ending SeaWorld orca shows not enough

FILE - In this Nov. 30, 2006, file photo, four killer whales, including Kasatka and her calf, Kalia, leap out of the water while performing during SeaWorld's Shamu show in San Diego. A SeaWorld executive says orca shows at the company's San Diego park will end by 2017. CEO Joel Manby cited customer feedback as the reason for the move in an announcement Monday, Nov. 9, 2015, to investors. Manby said the park would offer a different kind of orca experience and focus on the animal's natural setting and behaviors. (AP Photo/Chris Park, File) FILE - In this Nov. 30, 2006, file photo, four killer whales, including Kasatka and her calf, Kalia, leap out of the water while performing during SeaWorld's Shamu show in San Diego. A SeaWorld executive says orca shows at the company's San Diego park will end by 2017. CEO Joel Manby cited customer feedback as the reason for the move in an announcement Monday, Nov. 9, 2015, to investors. Manby said the park would offer a different kind of orca experience and focus on the animal's natural setting and behaviors. (AP Photo/Chris Park, File)

By Associated Press November 10, 2015 3 min read

SAN DIEGO (AP) – Animal rights activists applauded SeaWorld’s plans to end its orca shows at its San Diego park but said the company should phase out its captivity of killer whales altogether.

SeaWorld Entertainment Inc. announced Monday that it will end orca shows at its San Diego park after visitors at the tourist attraction made it clear they prefer seeing killer whales act naturally rather than doing tricks.

CEO Joel Manby told investors the park – where the iconic “Shamu” show featuring killer whales doing flips and other stunts debuted decades ago – will offer a different kind of orca experience focusing on the animal’s natural setting and behaviors, starting in 2017.

California Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff, who plans to introduce federal legislation to end captive orca breeding, said ending the shows is a good first step but doesn’t go far enough.

“The fact still remains that as long as SeaWorld holds orcas in captivity, the physical and psychological problems associated with their captivity will persist,” he said.