California bill to ban orca breeding and performances
'California can serve as a model for other states, including Florida and Texas where other orcas are displayed, to end the confinement in concrete boxes of these magnificent top ocean predators.'
California State Legislature has passed a bill that would ban the breeding and theatrical performances of captive orcas in the state. It would also prohibit export of the animals outside California.
Individuals, corporations or institutions who break this law would be guilty of a misdemeanour, punishable by a fine of up to $100,000.
The bill was co-sponsored by the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) and three former SeaWorld trainers - Samantha Berg, Carol Ray and John Hargrove. It has now been sent to state governor Jerry Brown.
Commenting on the bill's approval, the AWI said in a statement: 'California can serve as a model for other states, including Florida and Texas where other orcas are displayed, to end the confinement in concrete boxes of these magnificent top ocean predators.'
Assembly member Richard Bloom first introduced the bill in 2014, at which time it was opposed by SeaWorld Entertainment, which holds 11 orcas at its San Diego site.
Since then, amid mounting public pressure, SeaWorld voluntarily announced it would end its captive orca breeding programme, and lifted its opposition to the bill.
The company said it had worked with Mr Bloom on the legislation but '[does] not have a position on the bill itself'.
According to a statement from SeaWorld, the bill will allow it to rescue and rehabilitate stranded orcas, with the intention of releasing them back into the wild. But if the federal government deems the animal to be non-releasable, it may stay in SeaWorld's care.
The company says it is making the changes called for in the legislation.
Next year, SeaWorld San Diego is set to introduce a new orca experience. Called 'orca encounters', the company says it will focus on the natural world, including research, care and education.
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