People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) will rally outside SeaWorld San Antonio and the theme park company’s two other U.S. properties to demand it release its captive dolphins into saltwater sanctuaries.
The coordinated protests aim to pressure SeaWorld to end its dolphin breeding programs and transition captive animals to more natural environments. The San Antonio protest is scheduled for noon Thursday.
“SeaWorld knows that no tank could ever meet dolphins’ complex needs, yet continues to forcibly breed them,” PETA President Tracy Reiman said in a statement. “From coast to coast, PETA is calling on marine amusement parks to end this cruel cycle and release these animals to seaside sanctuaries, where they could finally have some semblance of a normal life.”
The campaign will include demonstrators holding dolphin-shaped signs displaying messages about animal welfare, according to PETA officials. The organization maintains that more than 500 whales and dolphins have died at SeaWorld parks over the years.
PETA also criticizes SeaWorld’s breeding practices, arguing that staff members sedate animals during artificial insemination procedures to prevent aggressive behavior.
In response to previous PETA protests, SeaWorld officials have said the company’s animal care meets or exceeds regulatory standards. The group has also said its parks contribute to conservation and education.
However, animal welfare advocates argue that captivity can’t replicate conditions found in the wild, where dolphins travel long distances and live in complex social groups. PETA cites individual cases to support its claims, including a dolphin named Puka.
According to the organization, Puka has given birth to nine calves, seven of whom have died. One of the dolphin’s offspring, Ripley, reportedly experienced two miscarriages following separate breeding attempts.
PETA encourages individuals interested in seeing wild animals to visit “accredited wildlife sanctuaries and local nature parks,” where they can observe the creatures in more natural habitats while promoting educational activities.
Sign Up for SA Current newsletters.
Follow us: Apple News | Google News | NewsBreak | Reddit | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Or sign up for our RSS Feed
Related Stories
PETA proposes changing Spurs’ team name to ‘animal-friendly’ alternative: the San Antonio Spores
Octopus attacks child at San Antonio Aquarium, mother alleges
PETA wants to put an anti-leather sign in front of boots at San Antonio’s North Star Mall