PETA/IG

In the shocking photos one of the adult orcas can be seen sporting a series of raking wounds down her flank, most likely caused by fights with other killer whales inside their confined enclosures. The magnificent sea creatures are on indefinite loan to Loro Parque from SeaWorld, which has provoked repeated controversy over allegations that it mistreats its animals. Thousands of Britons visit the Canary Islands attraction, where the orcas are amongst a huge array of animals forced to perform tricks for the cheering crowds. However, animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is calling on tourists to boycott the park after obtaining images which show the killer whales covered in scars. A spokeswoman for Loro Parque tonight angrily denied the claims and branded them a "smear campaign". She said that the rake marks on the whales' bodies are "completely normal in orcas" and said that the park would be taking "appropriate legal action" against the animal rights charity over the accusations of animal cruelty.

PETA The killer whales have what appear to be rake marks down their flanks

PETA PETA claims that the orca are not being treated properly

According to PETA witnesses reported seeing the animals lying listlessly in the water, which is a common sign that they are psychologically distressed. They also reported that many of the Orcas are suffering from mucus around their eyes, which experts say is most likely caused by poor quality water in their aquarium. PETA is now calling for the Spanish government to launch a probe into conditions at the theme park.

The group says examinations of the killer whales also showed that many have severely damaged teeth, which is caused by them gnawing on the walls of their tanks. PETA director Mimi Bekhechi said: "SeaWorld and Loro Parque have failed to take action to correct the orcas' health problems, which have been extensively documented by leading orca expert Dr Ingrid Visser going back at least four years. "It's time that Spanish authorities act to close this hideous tourist trap that causes animals to suffer."

It's time that Spanish authorities act to close this hideous tourist trap that causes animals to suffer PETA director Mimi Bekhechi

One of the animals pictured, a female orca called Morgan, has been at the centre of a worldwide campaign to secure her release. She was captured sick and underweight off the coast of the Netherlands in 2010 and has been locked up in a "concrete coffin" performing for crowds up to three times a day ever since. The Free Morgan Foundation has campaigned for her rerelease into the wild and claims that her five-year incarceration has had a devastating impact on her health. PETA says that the photographs were taken in March of this year, but Loro Parque strongly disputes this, insisting that they actually date back to 2012.

PETA The charity says that the animals have damaged teeth from trying to bite the glass of their tanks

TRIPADVISOR Loro Parque is a popular tourist destination with Britons

Dr. Patricia Delponti from Loro Parque told Express.co.uk that the claims made by PETA are "totally false" and are part of a concerted campaign to discredit the park. She said: "It is totally false that Loro Parque’s orcas have serious health problems, that they are scarred or suffering painful wounds and severe dental trauma as PETA means to imply. It is absolutely absurd to say that orca’s dental problems are unique to animals kept in captivity. "It is equally untrue that the orcas are scared and apathetic or manifest signs of psychological disorders." Dr Delponti said that PETA's claims date back to a legal attempt in 2012 to reverse Morgan's transfer to the Canary Islands park, which was rejected by a Dutch court. She said that independent observors had since judged that Morgan and the other orcas at the park are well treated, and added: "Our commitment to animal welfare is firm and we care for Morgan, as we do for other animals seized or rescued that the authorities place in our facilities. "Throughout its history, Loro Parque has worked hard to save some of the most endangered species in the world."