Map Contrasting SeaWorld Orca Pool With Leisure Activity Lake Goes Viral

An overhead map contrasting the size of a SeaWorld orca pool with a lake used for leisure activities has gone viral.

The image was posted by The Orca Project on Facebook and has been shared 72,000 times. The map purportedly illustrates the relatively small size of the orca pool at SeaWorld Orlando, by contrast to the car park and a nearby lake used for leisure activities.

The image is annotated with coloured rings and is accompanied by the message: "The yellow line is the SeaWorld Orlando car park. The redline is a lake for humans to go play on paddle boats. The blue line is where the Orcas spend their entire lives."

Facebook

Commenting on the post, The Orca Project encouraged people to watch Blackfish, a 2013 documentary that was critical of SeaWorld and its practices.

The comment read: "For everyone new to The Orca Project and the cause we are working for here - to get these magnificent orcas retired to a coastal sanctuary so they can live out their lives in their natural habitat - we want to thank you immensely for the outpouring of support.

"If you have not yet seen Blackfish, the critically acclaimed film that SeaWorld doesn't want you to see, you can watch right now on Netflix. It truly only skims the surface of what goes on behind the walls of SeaWorld with their captives and their trainers."

The comment continued: "Tilikum has been the inspiration of our project over the past 9 1/2 years and is the lead character of the riveting documentary. He will forever be the game-changer. His story will move you in ways you never imagined.

"SeaWorld Orlando is where he lived as a mere shadow of the life he deserved and of his wild counterparts. If you are a little afraid to watch it because you think it's too painful or difficult to see the reality of animal exploitation and abuse, you would be doing Tilikum and all of the other captives a disservice by not watching. Do it for him. Do it for all of the captives. It will change you.

PA

"It is true that once you see it, you cannot unsee it. If you've already watched, watch it again as it will inspire you over and over again to speak up and fight like we do - for all captives."

Last month, Virgin Holidays announced it would no longer be selling packages to attractions such as SeaWorld, instead opting to promote 'more natural' encounters with animals. And in January, orca Kayla died at SeaWorld Orlando, aged 30.

In a statement released at the time, SeaWorld said: "The entire SeaWorld family is deeply saddened by the loss.

"While today is a difficult day for all of us at SeaWorld, Kayla inspired generations of guests and employees to care and learn more about this amazing species."

LADbible has contacted SeaWorld for comment regarding the viral overhead map.

Topics: Viral, US News, Facebook, Animals

Jake Massey

Jake Massey is a journalist at LADbible. He graduated from Newcastle University, where he learnt a bit about media and a lot about living without heating. After spending a few years in Australia and New Zealand, Jake secured a role at an obscure radio station in Norwich, inadvertently becoming a real-life Alan Partridge in the process. From there, Jake became a reporter at the Eastern Daily Press. Jake enjoys playing football, listening to music and writing about himself in the third person.

@jakesmassey