The boss of SeaWorld has resigned in the wake of criticism of its treatment of killer whales.
Chief executive Jim Atchison is to be replaced on an interim basis by board chairman David D’Alessandro. Atchison will become vice-chairman of the board and will act as a consultant to the company.
The theme park firm would also continue with plans to re-organise in order to save $50 million by the end of 2015. Part of the restructuring would involve job cuts.
“In order to achieve the goals of our business realignment, we regret that some positions will necessarily be eliminated. However, our cost savings effort is part of a broader programme to position us for long term growth,” Atchison said.
The aquatic amusement park company has struggled to attract visitors in the wake of a 2013 film, Blackfish, which criticised SeaWorld.
SeaWorld acknowledged in August that the film had hurt revenues at its San Diego, California park, one of 11 around the world.
The company’s share price has fallen 44% this year, and now trades around $16 per share, the BBC reported.
In its most recent earnings report, it said attendance had dropped to 8.4 million visitors in the third-quarter of 2014 compared to 8.9 million in the same period a year earlier.
It attributed the decline to “a combination of factors including negative media attention in California along with a challenging competitive environment.”