SeaWorld fights killer whale controversy with ads

SeaWorld Entertainment, beset by the documentary Blackfish, which blasts the company's treatment of orcas, on December 20 placed ads in several newspapers, including the U-T. SeaWorld has a park here. The ads attempt to exonerate the company from charges of orca mistreatment.

Eight musical acts have now canceled scheduled appearances at the company's annual "Bands, Brew & BBQ" concert series that starts in February in Orlando. Those that have cancled, mainly citing the documentary, are .38 Special, Barenaked Ladies, Willie Nelson, Heart, Cheap Trick, Trisha Yearwood, Martina McBride, and REO Speedwagon.

The company has issued an open letter, saying it does not capture kiler whales in the wild, does not separate killer whales from their calves, invests millions of dollars in the care of whales, and is a leader in animal rescue. Also, the life spans of SeaWorld's killer whales are equivalent with those in the wild, claims the Orlando-based company.

SeaWorld Entertainment stock was hanging in there at $29.36 on Friday, December 20.