As a result of increased activism and declining ticket sales, SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. decided last year that it would stop the performance of theatrical orca shows, as well as its orca breeding program, at the 11-orca San Diego park. The final show at this park will take place on Sunday.

These particular orca shows often featured killer whales doing various tricks for the audiences at the requests of a trainer.

Gabriela Cowperthwaite, the director of the documentary “Blackfish” said, “The trainers aren’t safe, and the whales aren’t happy. They’re still just doing manic circles around concrete swimming pools.”

Although this particular show is being stopped, there will be a new show also featuring killer whales and trainer cues, called Orca Encounter; it is being labeled as an educational show, reportedly meant to demonstrate to the public how the animals eat, communicate and navigate in their natural lives.

Al Garver, former orca trainer and VP of zoological operations, informed the San Diego Union-Tribune, “We want to be able to demonstrate behaviors people would see in the wild with the killer whales and their abilities as a top predator in the sea”.

Since 2013’s “Blackfish” documentary shed light on the conditions that orcas faced in captivity by following the story of killer whale Tilikum, who killed a trainer during a performance at SeaWorld Orlando in 2010, SeaWorld’s orca shows have decreased in popularity.

It was reported that Tilikum died last Friday in Orlando at an estimated 36 years old.

As a result of the cessation of the shows, SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. has announced that it will be eliminating approximately 320 jobs across 12 parks. In addition, it will start its first park without orcas in Abu Dhabi.

The Orlando and San Antonio SeaWorld parks plan to terminate their orca shows by the year 2019.

About Alexis Whitlock Hi! My name is Alexis Whitlock. I'm sarcastic, I try to be funny, and I enjoy reading and writing. I do not enjoy long walks on the beach or anything like that, as is typical (I don't enjoy walks in general -- or the beach). I am an animal-lover and work for daily improvement in all areas of my life. To that end, please ALWAYS give me some constructive criticism!