PETA members turned out in full force at eight exits along the I-5, holding dozens of inflatable “dead orcas” representing those who have died on SeaWorld’s watch. Each featured a deceased orca’s name and proclaimed, “I died at SeaWorld.” The large-scale demonstration came in response to the company’s recent marketing campaign targeting Los Angeles residents. It spanned every exit between SeaWorld’s billboard and PETA’s anti-SeaWorld billboard—and concluded with the unfurling of a giant banner urging drivers to boycott the abusement park.
SeaWorld continues to exploit and cause the deaths of animals for entertainment, and its latest public relations ploy won’t change that. PETA is calling on Los Angeles families to stay away until the company releases the orcas it holds captive into seaside sanctuaries. PETA’s Los Angeles anti-SeaWorld billboard is located on the southbound side of the I-5 and reminds drivers heading to San Diego that they will “encounter misery” if visiting the park.
PETA notes that in the wild, orcas work cooperatively to find food, forge intricate relationships, and traverse up to 100 miles of ocean every day. But at SeaWorld, they’re housed in incompatible groups inside tiny tanks and drugged to manage their stress-induced aggressive behavior. Nearly 40 orcas have died on SeaWorld’s watch, and not one died of old age.
What You Can Do
In addition to boycotting the abusement park, you can do more to help the animals imprisoned at SeaWorld. Click the button below to ask the company to end all animal acts at its parks and release the animals it holds captive into seaside sanctuaries.
