SeaWorld Abu Dhabi will open its very first killer whale-free theme park in 2022. The theme park ended its orca breeding program several months ago amidst constant pressure from animal rights group.
Orcas have long been the trademark attraction of SeaWorld parks, but CEO Joel Manby says that removing orcas from the Abu Dhabi park will be an "important step" for the company as they try to move away from the animals that have long been the company icons. Several animal rights activists have long been campaigning against the use of captive orcas in SeaWorld.
The new park is scheduled to open in 2022 in Abu Dhabi's man-made Yas Island. The island is quickly becoming one of the most popular tourist hubs in the world. An animal rescue, rehabilitation, and research center will all be included in the Abu Dhabi park and will also open ahead of the park itself. Company officials say that the new theme park will focus on educating guests about the importance of ocean conservation.
According to a report from the Daily Mail, the government-backed Miral Asset Management, and SeaWorld have been in talks about opening a theme park in Abu Dhabi since 2011. SeaWorld was forced to end its orca breeding program in March, earlier this year. Years of low attendance numbers and constant pressure from activists are the two main reasons why the company pulled the plug on their breeding program. The release of the documentary "Blackfish" in 2013 also brought about renewed interest in the plight of captive orcas.
The documentary followed the life of an orca named Tilikum who killed a SeaWorld trainer in Orlando during a performance back in 2010. The documentary implies that killer whales tend to become more aggressive when in captivity.
PETA's Vice President of International Campaign Jason Blaker believes that the Abu Dhabi government and the tourism industry of the UAE for taking a "step backward." He adds that SeaWorld's "tiny tanks filled with miserable animals couldn't look more outdated or out of place" in Abu Dhabi's thriving city, according to a report from The Independent.
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