To the editor:
It is refreshing to read that SeaWorld plans on eliminating its captive breeding program for orcas. Still, these whales have relatively long life spans, meaning they can live for decades in captivity. That gives SeaWorld a generation's worth of “circus Orcas” to fill their parks. ("SeaWorld CEO: We're ending our orca breeding program. Here's why," Opinion, March 17)
SeaWorld chief Joel Manby hits the height of hubris in his piece when he asserts that his company is responsible for the change in attitude toward orcas. By capturing the whales and selectively breeding them for entertainment, SeaWorld brought awareness to the awesome beauty of these highly intelligent animals. The only thing SeaWorld can be credited with is exposing the American people to these animals.
We are no longer willing to support the organization that makes a living on the whales' exploitation. SeaWorld argues that giving up the whales it already has would amount to a death sentence for them. What SeaWorld fails to acknowledge is that there are alternatives to keeping whales in pools for the rest of their lives without meaningful social contact.
Gene E. Schwartz, San Diego
