The animal rights group PETA called on the San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan to investigate SeaWorld San Diego after video footage from park visitors surfaced of an attack on orcas, citing animal welfare concerns.
The organization is asking DA Stephan’s office to investigate and pursue cruelty-to-animal charges against the park “for the physical and psychological suffering” inflicted in captivity. The video was released just one day after 21-year-old orca Nakai died at Sea World despite "aggressive therapeutic and diagnostic efforts", a SeaWorld statement said.
“Orcas have no option but to endure in the theme park’s tiny concrete tanks, including injuries inflicted by incompatible animals,” PETA wrote in a statement.
The organization said that “attacks of this kind are rare in wild orca populations and that when they do occur, orcas can flee from conflict to avoid injury.” They alleged that “SeaWorld’s barren tanks, however, prevent the animals from making that evasive move—and from engaging in natural forms of behavior, including foraging and diving”.
SeaWorld told local media that PETA’s statements are “misleading and mischaracterized”, claiming the behavior shown on the video is called rake-making, which is normal among orcas.
The organization also alleged, "SeaWorld knowingly houses incompatible orcas together, putting them at risk of severe injury and under constant stress".
PETA filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Agriculture earlier this month, calling on the agency to "ensure that all animals at SeaWorld are being provided with adequate veterinary care, space, shelter, food, and water," and are handled in accordance with the Animal Welfare Act.
