The killer whale trainers who still defend captivity: ‘I’m an endangered species myself’
The 2013 documentary Blackfish turned orca trainers into pariahs in the US. Now some are hitting it big in China
January 2017
Notebook
Tilikum and Granny are dead. Here’s why you should care about these killer whales
Patrick Barkham
Tilikum, SeaWorld killer whale shown in Blackfish documentary, dies after illness
November 2016
SeaWorld announces cost-cutting strategy after 33% decline in profits
Aquatic theme park company, which has been struggling since the 2013 documentary Blackfish, reported third-quarter income fell from $98m to $66m
October 2016
SeaWorld penguin gets special wetsuit after feather loss – video
Wonder Twin, a female Adelie penguin, has a problem with feather loss, so staff at SeaWorld Orlando made her a customized wetsuit for the long winter
SeaWorld penguin gets specially made wetsuit to counteract feather loss
Wonder Twin, a female Adelie penguin at the Orlando park, was unable to regulate her body temperature as a result of the bald spots
TripAdvisor bans ticket sales to attractions that allow contact with wild animals
Animal welfare groups laud step by travel giant but concerns remain that it is not going far enough to counter cruel practices and exploitation by tourism businesses
August 2016
SeaWorld shares sink to record low as attendance keeps falling
The aquatic theme park company said 494,000 fewer people visited its parks in the three months to the end of June compared to the same period a year earlier
June 2016
Bubbles, the oldest pilot whale in captivity, dies at SeaWorld
Bubbles was in her early 50s and had lived at the park in San Diego for nearly 30 years
April 2016
Jean-Michel Cousteau: SeaWorld should set captive orcas free
The oceanographic explorer and son of Jacques Cousteau has indirectly challenged embattled marine park’s claims that no orca has survived release
March 2016
Notebook
We forced SeaWorld into the orca U-turn. What shall we do next?
Patrick Barkham
After SeaWorld, here are six animal scandals we need to fix
Wayne Pacelle
Former SeaWorld trainer who led campaign against park: 'I feel vindicated'
Stopping SeaWorld isn't enough. The fight must now go to the open oceans
Philip Hoare
SeaWorld announces an end to its killer whale breeding program – video
SeaWorld decides to stop killer whale breeding program
Tilikum, SeaWorld killer whale and subject of Blackfish, is dying
February 2016
SeaWorld CEO admits employees were asked to pose as animal rights activists
Joel Manby says he was wrong to have Paul McComb infiltrate Peta since at least July 2014 during conference call announcing further decline in earnings
Two top SeaWorld executives replaced as part of attempt to salvage reputation
The heads of animal safety and theme park operations are changing, announced SeaWorld chief executive, as outcry over whale treatment prompted brand shift
Hungry sea lion spends night in San Diego restaurant booth – video
Workers at a San Diego restaurant got a shock when they found a hungry and disgruntled sea lion pup sitting at a booth in their restaurant
