PETA Pulls High-Flying Stunt; Seahttp://newsbahn.com/?rm=edit;type=Article;id=10024265#World Pushes Back

Orlando, FL, United States (CNS) – Just weeks following the tragedy at SeaWorld Orlando where trainer Dawn Brancheau was killed by one of the park’s whales, PETA is sending a message to the theme park company and its visitors. It used to an airplane to send the fly-over message: “Sea World – Let Whales and Dolphins Out of Prison.”

With the banner, PETA is protesting what they call “cruel and deadly confinement of marine mammals.” The banner flew over the park on Tuesday during performances of the show “Believe,” the show which left trainer Brancheau dead. The shows at the SeaWorld parks across the country were dedicated to Brancheau on their return from a short hiatus.

“SeaWorld is an amusement park, but there’s nothing amusing about denying marine mammals the right to live in peace with their families in the world’s oceans–where they belong,” said PETA President Ingrid E. Newkirk in a statement. “Our sky-bound message to visitors will be loud and clear: Please don’t patronize parks that rely on animal suffering and risk the lives of their employees just to turn a profit.”

SeaWorld pushed back to the message in a statement on Tuesday as well, asking how many animals PETA could have helped by focusing their resources and dollars on them instead of their theatrics. “While PETA was flying around our park today, SeaWorld animal care specialists and veterinarians were rescuing a manatee in the Desoto Canal near Satellite Beach, Florida,” representatives for SeaWorld said. “Right now our animal care teams are treating more than 50 rescued wild animals, including representatives of three endangered or threatened species, and preparing those animals for return to the wild.

“In just the past nine weeks SeaWorld parks have rescued and treated nearly 1,000 animals and most have already been returned to the ocean,” the park’s rep continued. “SeaWorld rejects every charge made by PETA. Our parks will continue to do what they have always done: bring marine animals to our guests in ways that are enriching, inspiring, educational and entertaining.”

The death of trainer Dawn Brancheau is the second fatal incident at SeaWorld Orlando. In 1999, a man apparently stayed in the Orlando park after hours and avoided security before jumping in the animal’s tank where he was killed. Later, it was revealed he died of hypothermia. SeaWorld Orlando opened in 1973. SeaWorld parks are also open in San Antonio, TX and San Diego, CA.

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