California become first US State to ban SeaWorld Orca shows

16/09/2016

Earlier this week, California Governor Jerry Brown signed the Orca Protection and Safety Act into law, banning the breeding and performance of Orcas in captivity. This is a huge victory for marine life in the state.

This groundbreaking legislation sends a powerful message that Orcas belong in the wild. Not in captivity for our entertainment.

The experience of captive marine mammals is a far cry from their natural lives in their wild – causing extreme suffering and stress for these intelligent creatures.

A passage of this law reflects that the welfare of marine animals is increasingly crucial to the consumer tourist public – they don’t want to see wildlife exploited for entertainment.

World Animal Protect applauds the leadership of Assembly member Richard Bloom, who introduced the California Orca Protection Act; the Animal Welfare Institute, which co-sponsored the bill; the makers of the 2013 Blackfish documentary; and everyone who’s raised their voice to shine a spotlight on the cruelty of keeping marine mammals in captivity.

Learn more about the work we are doing to protect marine animals. 

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Animals in the wild
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