SeaWorld under investigation by US authorities
SeaWorld is being investigated by two federal agencies in the United States, who are looking at disclosures and public statements made by the company and its executives in or before August 2014, including those concerning the impact of the award-winning documentary, Blackfish.
The film, released in 2013, resulted in heightened worldwide attention on the plight of orcas in captivity at the marine park despite SeaWorld dismissing it as propaganda. In August 2014, shares in the company slumped 33% in a single day after the company missed analysts’ predicted earnings results. The Department of Justice and Securities and Exchange Commission will also be looking at trading in the company’s securities around this time.
The company eventually agreed to end the breeding of orcas at its parks and change the way it displays the whales to the public.
SeaWorld’s share price has fallen over 20% in 2017.
