Victory! British Airways Will No Longer Promote Attractions With Captive Animals, Including SeaWorld

Corks are popping at PETA today after the announcement that British Airways has grounded ticket sales to attractions that keep wild animals captive, including SeaWorld. All facilities where captive wild animals are central to the attraction have been removed from its website.

For years, PETA has been asking the airline to cut ties with marine abusement parks. In addition to meeting with British Airways’ management, our efforts included encouraging almost 15,000 PETA members and supporters to contact the company.

“Our customers tell us they have concerns about wild animals being kept in captivity, and increasingly see animal performances in particular as outdated.”

– Claire Bentley, Managing Director, British Airways Holidays

British Airways’ pledge to stop offering tours that include animal rides or interactions positions it as a leader for animal welfare in the travel industry.

Growing Opposition

The documentary Blackfish exposed SeaWorld’s abuse of animals to the public. The company’s stock has tanked, and major US companies such as AAA have severed ties with its parks – as has the UK’s biggest travel provider, Thomas Cook Group, following a dedicated PETA campaign. Recently, Virgin Holidays joined the list – so why does TUI continue to offer its customers SeaWorld ticket deals?

SeaWorld Sucks

At SeaWorld, orcas live in cramped concrete tanks and are deprived of everything that’s natural and important to them. With no physical, psychological, or emotional stimulation, they spend their days swimming in endless circles.

At least 41 orcas and dozens of other dolphins have died at SeaWorld parks from causes including severe trauma, intestinal gangrene, and chronic cardiovascular failure.

SeaWorld parks also imprison bottlenose and Commerson’s dolphins, who are forced to perform tricks in shows day after day. Adults and children have been bitten by dolphins during these activities, and since 2008, 53 bottlenose and five Commerson’s dolphins have died at the parks.