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United joins other travel brands by cutting ties with SeaWorld in the US

United Airlines joins a line up of other travel brands cutting ties with SeaWorld in the USA due to the waterpark's tight Orca living conditions.

United Airlines joins a line up of other travel brands cutting ties with SeaWorld in the USA due to the waterpark’s tight Orca living conditions.

United Airlines made the announcement last week by and removing any mention of the park from its United Vacations website.

In a statement, animal rights activists, PETA, said it was the “right call” because the park is treating its dolphins as “surfboards in sea circus shows”.

Read on for more.

 

WHAT ARE CONDITIONS LIKE FOR DOLPHINS AT SEAWORLD IN THE US?

PETA’s Senior Vice President, Lisa Lange, describes the treatment of Orcas at SeaWorld in the USA as circus-like because they’re “ridden around like surfboards”.

The organisation said that trainers stand on dolphins’ backs and faces. This can cause damage to hearing, strain muscles and joints, a veterinary report found.

Additionally, some 140 dolphins are squeezed into seven small tanks, which keeps them from exercising their ability to swim 140 miles a day and dive 1,500-feet.

PETA claims that these tight living conditions also prevent them from escaping potential attacks from other frustrated dolphins.

“United Airlines made the right call to cut ties with a park that confines orcas and other dolphins to concrete tanks that, to them, are the size of bathtubs.”

Lisa Lange, PETA Senior Vice President

 

WHICH OTHER TRAVEL BRANDS HAVE CUT TIES WITH THE WATERPARK?

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United Airlines isn’t the first travel brand this year to cut ties with SeaWorld in the United States.

Other companies to do so include Virgin Holidays, Alaska, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest, Spirit, Sunwing and WestJet Airlines.

 

WILL THIS AFFECT ME OR MY CLIENTS?

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Image: SeaWorld Orlando/Facebook

The airline’s decision should have a minimal-if-any impact on Australian travellers.

However, the move should encourage SeaWorld to rethink its breeding program and upgrade Orca living conditions.

In Australia, World Animal Protection called for the Queensland’s SeaWorld to remove its breeding program as it’s one of the last in Australia.

Successful examples of a transformed programs include Coffs Harbour’s Dolphine Marine Conversation Park, which is now a rehabilitation centre.

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