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Allen, Greg. “SeaWorld Agrees To End Captive Breeding Of Killer Whales.” NPR, Greg Allen, 17 Mar. 2016, www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/03/17/470720804/seaworld-agrees-to-end-captive-breeding-of-killer-whales.

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SeaWorld has announced that they are going to stop breeding whales in captivity. In addition to this, they are going to stop the theatrical shows in SeaWorld San Diego. These changes are coming from the backlash from the documentary, Blackfish, which caused a major drop in their sales. They are also going to use it as a recovery and rehabilitation center for animals that cannot be put back in the wild. Eventually, SeaWorld plans to no longer include orcas in their parks.

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This is credible because they include many sources within their article. It is from NPR which is a reliable source that many people use to get their news from.

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"major concession to critics and animal welfare groups"
"we will increase our focus on rescue operations"
"marks truly meaningful change"
"signals a change in SeaWorld's business model"

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I'm very glad that they are making these changes. After watching Blackfish, I was in disbelief on what had been going on in a place that I had always wanted to go too. After watching Blackfish several times, my childhood desire to go to SeaWorld was lost.

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Weisberg, Lori. “After 'the Blackfish Effect,' SeaWorld Turns to New Wave of Exhibits, Shows.” Chicagotribune.com, Lori Weisburg, 30 May 2017, www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/travel/ct-orca-encounter-seaworld-20170530-story.html.

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SeaWorld changed it's whole brand because of "the Blackfish effect" and it worked in a positive way. Sales have increased and they are on the way to becoming a very educational and 0% harmful place.

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It is from the Chicago Tribune, which is a reliable news source.

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"SeaWorld wants to prove that it genuinely cares about the ocean and the animals that populate it"
"animal exhibits that are more educational"
"as SeaWorld prepares for the day when orcas no longer inhabit the parks"
"the research says people are much more favorable to SeaWorld after those decisions"

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I feel they were very successful in rebranding after the "the Blackfish effect". I would attend a SeaWorld park since these changes have been made.

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SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment. “Why ‘Blackfish’ Is Propaganda, Not a Documentary.” Truth About Blackfish, seaworldcares.com/the-facts/truth-about-blackfish/.

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In this article, SeaWorld presents arguments to everything argued in Blackfish. They present 6 points that was shared about SeaWorld in the documentary and share why they were misleading, or wrong.

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This comes from a website affiliated with SeaWorld.

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"employs false and emotionally manipulative sequences"
"masquerading as scientists"
"fictitious account"
"false theories"

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I feel if what Blackfish was saying was truly incorrect, SeaWorld would not have made the changes they are making. If it wasn't true, they shouldn't have had to change anything, they just would've had to release this article.

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“Exposed: A Veterinarian Visits SeaWorld.” SeaWorld of Hurt, PETA, 21 Oct. 2014, www.seaworldofhurt.com/features/veterinarian-visits-seaworld/.

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Dr. Rally, a veterinarian who works with marine animals visited SeaWorld in San Diego in 2014. She discovered that the orca whales aren't the only mistreated animals living in the SeaWorld parks. The dolphins that interacted with humans and participated in the shows had "pox-like legions" on their body. The aggression from being confined to tanks was apparent through rake marks. Rake marks take about six months from the initial injury to heal, judging by the various stages of healing seen by Dr. Rally, these fights have been happening and are currently happening. Injuries have also occurred, not only from interactions with other whales, but from sharp parts of their tank. Some whales taken from captivity are drugged to make the transition smoother and this has caused serious harm to one whale, Ikaika. Ikaika has chronic infections and has suffered many broken teeth. The collapsed dorsal fins are not normal and result from spending so much time above water and swimming in such tight circles repeatedly. Dr. Rally also discovered a walrus tank covered w algae that caused him to become blind and chronically sick. These animals are meant to stay with their families and when they're in captivity they are depriving them of that.

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She is a veterinarian who works with marine animals.

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"a common neurotic behavior in captive wild animals"
"serious health problems"
"extremely abnormal behavior"
"psychological distress"
"the only SeaWorld staff member in the area was sitting with her back toward the guests"

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This is the article I read to my parents when they wanted to take me to SeaWorld. How could anyone support a corporation like this after reading that article? It is clear how much harm is being inflicted on these animals. They are suffering so much purely for human entertainment.

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“2016-2018: Captive Wild Animals.” Animal Legal Defense Fund, aldf.org/article/student-animal-legal-defense-fund-saldf-program-guides/2016-2018-student-animal-legal-defense-fund-program-guide-captive-wild-animals/.

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There are laws pertaining to the treatment in animals in captivity, but they do not do much. For example, the Marine Mammals Protection Act says that orca whales can be captured if they are used for education or entertainment. Laws such as the Endangered Species Act say nothing about animals in captivity. The Animal Welfare Act establishes minimal standards of care for captive animals. Inspectors trained to look for signs of abuse and neglect are not trained properly and the inspections take place as little as once a year.

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It's from the Animal Legal Defense Fund.

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"minimal standards of care"
"inspectors inadequately trained"
"little to no protection for wild captive animals"

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Law makers are allowing this to happen. By law, SeaWorld is not doing anything wrong. They are using the whales for entertaining purposes, and even though it's physically harmful to them, it is protected by the Marine Mammals Protection Act. Many animal experts have stated that the facts SeaWorld employees are teaching at the parks are incorrect, but since they're still "educating," they are abiding by the law. After reading this, I have realized that this matter is not a corporation issue, it's a government issue. In order for real change to begin, it must begin with the government.

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Jones, Charisse. “SeaWorld Attendance Falls as It Downplays Killer Whales.” USA Today, Gannett Satellite Information Network, 9 May 2017, www.usatoday.com/story/money/2017/05/09/seaworld-sees-plunge-revenue-and-visitors/101459380/.

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Ever since the release of Blackfish, SeaWorld has experienced a major drop in attendance. They have lost several million dollars and plan to build new attractions that don't involve the whales to hopefully see another increase in sales. The SeaWorld park in San Diego plans to offer guests an up close experience with the whales that is not harmful to them.

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It's from USA Today, which is a reliable news source.

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"attendance falls"
"intense scrutiny"
"offered discounts to woo back visitors"

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I feel that this was a good thing. If they saw no drop in sales, maybe the great changes being made wouldn't have been done.

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SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment. “Last Generation.” SeaWorld Cares, seaworldcares.com/Future/Last-Generation/.

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SeaWorld's official announcement about the end of breeding whales in captivity. They have come to the conclusion, through the use of veterinary experts, that it is best if the killer whales are no longer in captivity. Their goal is to be the world's leading marine animal rescue organization and have set aside $50 million for the next 5 years to help accomplish this.

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This is directly from SeaWorld.

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"last generation of killer whales at SeaWorld"

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This article makes it seem as if they decided to end the breeding of orcas because they truly care about them. But, from reading the other sources I know the ultimate reason for ending the breeding and making all of these changes is a result of the major loss of money.

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Weisberg, Lori. “Why Did SeaWorld Killer Whales Die? Animal Activists Sue for Release of Necropsy Reports.” Sandiegouniontribune.com, San Diego Union Tribune, 29 Nov. 2018, www.sandiegouniontribune.com/business/tourism/sd-fi-seaworld-necropsy-lawsuit-20181129-story.html.

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A law suit has been filed against the federal government for the release of the autopsies of three whales who died at SeaWorld parks. The animal activists who filed the suit claim that under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the autopsies must be released. It is believed that releasing the full autopsies rather than just the cause of death will benefit scientists who research the neurobiology and health of marine animals. Two plaintiffs in this case are both studying the effects of captivity on animals. The law suit is not filed directly against SeaWorld, but rather the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for failing to require SeaWorld to turn over the necropsy reports.

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It is from the San Diego Tribune.

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"deaths of three killer whales"
"require that SeaWorld turn over clinical history and necropsy reports"

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I believe there is currently no harm. Since the breeding of whales in captivity has ceased, they have nothing to lose by releasing with the reports. Releasing the reports would only benefit research and could help many other animals.

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Nathan Bomey. “Is SeaWorld Mounting a Comeback? New Rides Boost Attendance as 'Blackfish' Turmoil Fades.” USA Today, Gannett Satellite Information Network, 16 Nov. 2018, www.usatoday.com/story/money/2018/11/16/seaworld-entertainment-rides-attractions-busch-gardens/2010325002/.

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SeaWorld's attendance has declined over 11% since the release of Blackfish, and has barely risen though SeaWorld announced in 2015 that they will stop the breeding of whales in captivity. Since the opening of the new attractions, people are returning to SeaWorld. Though there are orca whales that still live at the SeaWorld parks, the new attractions do not feature them.

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USA Today is a credible source.

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"finally returning"
"nearly five years of declining attendance"
"new attractions and rides that have nothing to do with sea creatures"

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I'm very happy for them that their attendance is increasing because since they have rebranded and are focusing on rescue and rehabilitation. I feel that people who are paying to visit know their money is going toward a good cause and they can have fun at the same time.

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“Orca Shows and Breeding Banned in California.” National Geographic, National Geographic Society, 14 Sept. 2016, news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/09/california-bans-SeaWorld-orca-breeding-entertainment/.

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A law was made, the Orca Protection and Safety Act, that banned the breeding of whales in captivity. Though SeaWorld had already committed to doing this, the law being passed ensured that they could not go back on their word. The act also bans the use of the orca whales for entertainment purposes, and plans to make "marine sanctuaries" instead of the concrete tanks.

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National Geographic is a credible source.

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"Blackfish exposed concerns about orca welfare"
"new law mirrors several changes that SeaWorld had already committed to making"
"modified habitats"

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I believe this a great thing because the previous law did not protect the whales in any way. It also ensures that SeaWorld cannot go back to their old ways and they must stay true to the changes they're making.