US amusement park group SeaWorld has responded to criticism of its treatment of captive killer wales by unveiling plans for a new “whale environment” and funding for research and conservation.
Shares in SeaWorld Entertainment plunged last week after the group forecast a fall in revenue driven by negative publicity following the documentary film Blackfish, released in 2013.
SeaWorld said the film had hit turnover at its San Diego SeaWorld park in particular.
The company announced the first of the new environments, the “Blue World Project”, would be at SeaWorld San Diego, where the new facility will be double the size of the current one.
SeaWorld president and chief executive Jim Atchison said: “Our new killer whale homes and research initiatives have a bold vision to advance global understanding of these animals, to educate and to inspire conservation efforts in the wild.”
The company said the project would “support the whales’ broad range of behaviours and provide choices that can challenge the whales physically and mentally”.
It promised “innovative features focused on husbandry and animal care”.
As part of the new programme, SeaWorld pledged $10 million in matching funds to conservation projects and a “multimillion dollar partnership focused on protecting the ocean”. It promised details of this “in the coming weeks”.
The company said it would also “engage an independent advisory panel to bring perspectives and ideas” to maximising the health and wellbeing of the animals.
The new San Diego environment is expected to open in 2018, with similar killer whale homes facilities to follow at SeaWorld Orlando and SeaWorld San Antonio.
The documentary Blackfish led to protests and to an attempt in California to ban orca performances and phase out the whales’ captivity.
The film suggested captivity at SeaWorld was damaging to the orcas. It was described by the Financial Times as “disturbing”.
Analysts noted declining attendances at the SeaWorld parks in San Diego and Orlando this year, despite strong performances at the company’s other parks including Busch Gardens in Virginia.
Atchison conceded: “Our challenge is related to the media attention. That was probably our biggest headwind in California.”