In the face of dwindle popularity and strap profits , SeaWorld really is n’t doing itself any favors . The controversial society admitted Thursday that some of its employee had been nonplus as brute rights militant to descry on opponent and win inside information .
According to the Orlando Sentinel , accusations of such activityfirst aroseback in 2014 , when hoi polloi for the Ethical Treatment of Animals ( PETA ) became suspicious of the behavior of one of the organization ’s employees , Paul McComb . PETA alleged that McComb had been masquerade as an militant called Thomas Jones so as to infiltrate protest groups . Despite being arrested during a parade in Pasadena , California , McComb handle to circumvent accusation that were press on others .
McComb also had a Twitter accounting , under the false name of Thomas Jones , in which he posted various anti - SeaWorld tweet , inciting fast-growing protests and legal action against the park . In one mail service , “ Jones ” encouraged others to fall in him in drain the park ’s new - built tanks in 2018 .
seize your rake forks and torches ! big objection tomorrow at#SeaWorld@johnjhargrove@Sam10k#blackfish#PETA#shutdownseaworld
— Thomas Jones ( @ThomasJ49711178)July 3 , 2014
Needless to say , PETA is not impressed with the situation and has sentence the activity : “ SeaWorld ’s corporate espionage campaign tried to coerce kind people into jell SeaWorld on fire or drain its cooler , which would have hurt the creature , in an attempt to deflect from its cruelty and keep PETA from exposing the miserable life-time of the beast it imprisons , ” PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman said in astatement .
This news will in all likelihood only motor SeaWorld ’s foot further into the grave . The company fall grossly out of favor following the tell documentary " Blackfish " that exposed poor treatment and negligence that not only put the animals at jeopardy but also the biography of trainer . allot to the documentary one killer whale , Tilikum , has been accuse of kill three the great unwashed .
Public disgust and intolerance of inhuman treatment is clear reflected in SeaWorld ’s steadily fall earnings . While they still turn over over$1.37 billionin revenue last yr , they faced a$6.8 millionfall in sales equate with the previous twelvemonth , concomitant with adrop in attendanceand increasing public pressing to free the animals . While captive breeding is still countenance in sure states , SeaWorld has at leastannouncedthat it is to convey an terminal to its Orcinus orca show , substitute them with an educational experience that is more true to animation .
