Dolphins and whales could suffer in SeaWorld's new parks

SeaWorld: Orcas aren't enough. No marine mammal belongs in captivity. Sign Now Dear friends, In the post-Blackfish era, SeaWorld may appear down and out in the United States, but a recent investment by a Chinese real estate group ensures that new SeaWorld parks will be opening in Hong Kong, Macau, China and Taiwan. SeaWorld has promised to not send any orcas to its new Asian parks, but that promise leaves open a whale-sized loophole: other species of whales and dolphins could be sent to new parks in Asia. While being the face of brand may have made orcas' suffering the most visible, they're not only the marine mammals who endure misery in captivity. Captive whales and dolphins have been seen chewing on the concrete sides of their cages, banging their heads against metal gates and other unnatural and violent behavior that you just don't see in animals who live freely in the wild. Making matters even worse, China lacks any federal animal welfare laws. That means the buck stops nowhere, and the suffering captive marine mammals will endure in China could be infinitely more horrible than what we've seen here at home. There's only one solution that's good for the animals: end captivity of all marine mammals for entertainment at all parks — including the new ones. It's time for CEO Joel Manby to make that pledge. Thank you,   Emily V. The Care2 Petitions Team