SeaWorld to End ‘Dolphin Surfing’

SeaWorld have announced they will end ‘Dolphin Surfing’ trainer tricks at all of their parks.

According to People, “dolphin surfing is a term used for tricks that include trainers riding through the water on dolphins by placing their feet on the backs or snouts of two swimming dolphins.”

The decision to end dolphin surfing comes after PETA – who owns 163 shares of SeaWorld stock – sent a letter late last year to SeaWorld Entertainment shareholders asking for a vote to end dolphin surfing at all parks.

Progress! #SeaWorld finally listened to PETA and will STOP using dolphins as surfboards.

Trainers will no longer stand on dolphins' faces or surf on them in SeaWorld’s circus-style shows! https://t.co/rs4shj57DL pic.twitter.com/olJpvfMVfb

— PETA (@peta) February 6, 2020

“Following a months-long PETA campaign that included a damning veterinary report, a shareholder question asked by Alec Baldwin, numerous local ads, and more, SeaWorld admits in response to PETA’s latest shareholder proposal that it has stopped making trainers ride on dolphins’ backs and will soon end their practice of standing on dolphins’ faces in abhorrent circus-style shows. In response, PETA has withdrawn its shareholder proposal calling for an end to these cruel practices,” PETA revealed in a statement obtained by People. “Stopping trainers from treating dolphins like surfboards means less abuse at SeaWorld, but orcas and other dolphins continue to suffer in tiny concrete tank.”

In response to PETA’s statement, SeaWorld told People, “SeaWorld is continually evolving its animal presentations to create the best experience for both guests and our animals. As an accredited zoological facility, our leadership solely determines the content and format of our presentations and is not influenced in any way by the actions of ill-informed activists, who are seemingly more interested in their profile and fund raising than they are the welfare of animals.”