SeaWorld, the U.S. theme park chain that has faced significant controversy in recent years regarding its treatment of killer whales and other marine mammals, has inaugurated a massive new aquatic life park in the United Arab Emirates, marking its first venture outside of the United States.
Partnering with the state-owned developer Miral in a $1.2 billion project, the park boasts the world’s largest aquarium and an impressive cylindrical LED screen. While the facility does not house orcas, which have been the subject of intense scrutiny and criticism, it does feature animals such as dolphins and seals. However, the captivity and training of these animals for commercial and entertainment purposes have also faced ethical concerns from animal rights advocacy groups.
This new establishment, which commenced welcoming visitors last month, allows the Orlando, Florida-based company to establish a presence in a rapidly growing international tourism destination. It also presents an opportunity for SeaWorld to continue its efforts in rebranding, following years of backlash and allegations of animal cruelty.
Despite numerous interview requests and written questions from The Associated Press, SeaWorld and Miral declined to provide responses or grant access to the park for AP journalists.
The release of the documentary “Blackfish” in 2013 intensified the scrutiny surrounding SeaWorld. The film primarily focused on the life of Tilikum, a 12,000-pound orca that was involved in the tragic death of trainer Dawn Brancheau in 2010 when he pulled her into a pool at SeaWorld Orlando. The documentary suggested that orcas become more aggressive in captivity.
As a result of the film’s impact, visitor numbers sharply declined across SeaWorld’s three parks in the United States. In an effort to address the situation, SeaWorld Entertainment Inc. agreed to pay $65 million to settle a lawsuit that accused the company of misleading investors about the documentary’s effects on its financial performance.
In response to mounting criticism, SeaWorld discontinued its orca breeding program and ceased live performances involving the whales in 2016. It was during the same year that the company announced its plans to construct a park in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, without orcas.
According to the company’s promotional materials, SeaWorld asserts its commitment to rescuing and rehabilitating animals, highlighting a full-time team of veterinarians dedicated to ensuring their well-being. As an example, their Orlando theme park established a facility last year to care for Florida manatees facing starvation in their natural habitat. The company claims to have raised $17 million to support various research and conservation projects worldwide.
Scott Ross, the chairman of SeaWorld, expressed in a statement that SeaWorld Abu Dhabi is poised to redefine global standards of excellence for marine life theme parks by prioritizing animal well-being and care as a core design principle.
SeaWorld Abu Dhabi holds certification from the international brand of American Humane, which is responsible for certifying that no animals were harmed in the making of films. While SeaWorld’s U.S. facilities have received accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), recognized as a reputable standard for humane certifications, the Abu Dhabi park has not yet applied for accreditation, as confirmed by Jennifer DiNenna, the director of accreditation at AZA.
Despite the steps taken by SeaWorld since the “Blackfish” controversy, there are still critics who remain unsatisfied with the company’s efforts.
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Jason Baker, the senior vice president of international campaigns at People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), expressed his perspective on SeaWorld, stating, “SeaWorld is part of an industry built on the suffering of intelligent, social beings who are denied everything that’s natural and important to them.” He emphasized that in their natural habitat, dolphins live in large social groups and swim long distances daily. However, in captivity, they are confined to tanks where they can only swim in endless circles, comparable to bathtubs.
In December of the previous year, during a scheduled inspection of SeaWorld Orlando, the U.S. Department of Agriculture cited the company for animal welfare violations. The inspection revealed a dolphin that was “actively bleeding” from “many deep rake marks” and excessive chlorine levels in the dolphin tanks.
As of now, there have been no reports of abuse or mistreatment at the recently opened Abu Dhabi park. However, the park did not provide any answers regarding its treatment of dolphins when questioned.
John Jett, a former orca trainer at SeaWorld Orlando who spoke out against the company in the documentary “Blackfish,” explains that in the wild, animals can swim away if there is aggression between them. However, in captivity, the confined space can lead to dolphin-on-dolphin aggression, often resulting in broken teeth and rake marks on their bodies.
Jett also points out that releasing captive animals into the wild poses challenges, especially for those born in captivity who have become dependent on humans for survival. Plans to release Lolita, a killer whale held captive at the Miami Seaquarium for over fifty years, have raised concerns among some of her former caregivers about her ability to survive in the wild.
For the United Arab Emirates, a country known for its futuristic city of Dubai, the world’s tallest skyscraper, and the Louvre Abu Dhabi, the addition of SeaWorld provides yet another major tourist attraction.
The partnership between SeaWorld and Miral is part of a broader plan to transform Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island into a thriving theme park hub that aims to rival Orlando. The island already features attractions such as a Formula 1 circuit, a water park, and a Warner Bros. theme park. Notable celebrities like Kevin Hart and Jason Momoa have been engaged to promote the destination.
According to Christopher Davidson, a former professor of Middle East politics at Durham University in Britain, this expansion serves as a form of non-oil diversification and a means of soft power for Abu Dhabi. Associating with renowned brands like SeaWorld contributes to attracting more tourists to the UAE, thereby supporting its goal of economic diversification.
SeaWorld’s presence in Abu Dhabi pays tribute to the region’s cultural heritage by incorporating a themed “realm” reminiscent of traditional houses and sailboats that symbolize the emirates’ history of fishing and pearl-diving before the discovery of oil.
Furthermore, the new facility includes an in-house research center focused on studying aquatic life in the Persian Gulf and supporting the conservation efforts of local species, including the endangered dugong, which resembles a manatee.
John Jett, the former orca trainer, acknowledges that companies like SeaWorld have made significant contributions to conservation through their animal rescue and rehabilitation work, highlighting their positive impact in this area.
John Jett expresses his desire for SeaWorld to channel more of its resources and efforts towards playing a leading role in global policy and aiding animals in their natural habitats rather than focusing on keeping them alive in captivity. He believes that the company should prioritize initiatives that support conservation efforts and address the challenges faced by animals in the wild.
