SeaWorld has been facing serious challenges especially after the release of the documentary Blackfish. Now the company confirms that it is being investigated by two federal offices with regard to certain statements it made regarding the impacts of Blackfish on the company.
Two Federal Investigations On SeaWorld
SeaWorld has been struggling in recent years due to the negative publicity brought by the documentary Blackfish, which began a series of campaigns and proposals regarding captive killer whales.
Now, in a filing with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, SeaWorld has confirmed that it has received a subpoena just this June in relation to a U.S. Department of Justice investigation regarding certain statements made by the company and its executives with regard to the impact of Blackfish. It has also received subpoenas from the Securities and Exchange Commission regarding the same matter.
In response, SeaWorld's Board of Directors formed a Special Committee to advise and assist the company regarding the investigations. They also pointed out in the filing that the company has been cooperating with the government inquiries, and will continue to cooperate with any inquiries or requests that it would make.
Making no lengthy comment on the matter, a spokesman for the company stated that the filing itself "covers everything the company has to say regarding the government inquiries."
SeaWorld's Struggles
Though it did not specify in the filing which specific statements the government inquiries are probing, SeaWorld had previously reported having significantly lower revenues in 2014 and even more so in 2015 as a result of the backlash regarding its alleged ill-treatment off orcas in captivity. Further, the company's stocks also took a strong hit.
The struggle began in 2014 and SeaWorld has since fought and made changes to reflect the public's concerns. In 2015, SeaWorld replaced its killer whales show to showcase them in their natural setting instead.
The company also released a marketing campaign in early 2015, focusing on the members of the population who were neither for nor against the company. However, it seems as though SeaWorld is still struggling to return to the success that it had before Blackfish.
Despite the challenges and after its decision to stop the breeding of orcas in captivity, SeaWorld celebrated the birth of the last baby orca to be bred and born in the park. Takara, the calf's mother, was already pregnant when SeaWorld announced its decision to stop breeding.
