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Source: https://static1.squarespace.com |
- BlackFish is a documentary that was released in July of 2013. The film contains live footage of Orca shows, interviews with past employees, interviews with marine biologists and much more. The basis of this documentary is the story and effects of one specific whale in captivity, Tilikum from the SeaWorld Orlando park. The story of one whale who has killed and injured a handful of individuals displays many details on how poorly animals, specifically Orcas, are treating at the SeaWorld parks. The documentary leaves the audience with the hidden details and “the truth” of how SeaWorld really operates which left millions of views shocked, upset and angry. With the release of a documentary exposing dozens of unknown facts, the public had a strong negative response towards SeaWorld which led to a drastic decrease in stocks, profits and overall attendance.
- According to the Blackfish documentary official website, which is a semi-biased source, as the website it made by producers of the movie and was made in order to promote the release and information from the documentary. recently following the release of the film Blackfish, in December of 2014, the CEO of SeaWorld resigned; In addition to Jim Atchison resigning, three hundred employees were let off from the company. Due to the documentary SeaWorld suffered greatly with, stock dropping 30%, and the “Attendance for the second quarter was down by 494,000 guests compared with the same quarter in 2015, a 7.6% drop”. If that was not enough, the whole SeaWorld company, was quoted: “$2 billion industry is now starting its potential demise in the face, as attendance has plunged by 14.9 percent since 2013, according to “USA Today.” Following the news, SeaWorld's stock fell 13.21%, down $1.96, to $12.88 a share in trading Thursday.” The stock is now down over 50% over the past two years. In conclusion this article is very helpful from a statistical standpoints as it provides actual number and data regarding the effects the public took against SeaWorld when the documentary was initially released.
Future Research Question: How has the government got involved, what legal stances have they taken against keeping animals in captivity, specifically marine institutions, such as SeaWorld?
