Ever since the negative press thrown over SeaWorld following the controversial 2013 Blackfish documentary, the company has seen profits plummet by 84%.
Record numbers of people have been deserting the parks across the world, according to the company’s latest results, in which income dropped to its lowest ever point.
The documentary in question covered the mistreatment of orca whales at the once extremely popular parks, which led to the deaths of three people. And following the release of the film, SeaWorld’s former CEO was fired.
In the aftermath, the company went on to lose half of its stock market value, as share prices dropped from $39 to just $18. And with it came a worldwide outrage on both social media and in the form of large scale protests.
CEO of SeaWorld, Joel Manby, now expects revenue to improve following a ‘reputational’ campaign that, in casual terms, cost them a fortune.
However, there could be even more controversy ahead after it was revealed that one SeaWorld trainer had joined an animal rights protest group AGAINST the company. And if that doesn’t speak volumes, I don’t know what does.
Director of animal law for Peta, Jared Goodman, said: “SeaWorld is in the midst of a spying scandal, animals are dying in its tanks, and tens of thousands of people have opposed its bid to build a new orca prison.”
The future certainly looks grim.
