USA – SeaWorld says it is ending its controversial orca breeding program. The 24 killer whales currently at the company’s theme parks in California, Texas and Florida will be the last generation of orcas at SeaWorld.

“SeaWorld has been listening and we’re changing,” the company said in a statement. “Society is changing and we’re changing with it. SeaWorld is finding new ways to continue to deliver on our purpose to inspire all our guests to take action to protect wild animals and wild places.” As a result of mounting pressure since the 2013 release of Blackfish, an influential exposé of orca captivity, SeaWorld has promised to introduce “natural orca encounters” instead of circus-like theatrical shows.

(The Independent UK)…[+]