SeaWorld CEO steps down as attendances fall again

Joel Manby, SeaWorld’s progressive CEO, has stepped down after another poor financial performance by the company. The company lost around $200 million in 2017 and saw visitor number drop again.

Under Manby’s leadership, SeaWorld announced the end of the circus-style orca shows and captive orca breeding. WDC has welcomed SeaWorld’s change of direction and pushed for a further commitment to retire its captive whales and dolphins to coastal sanctuaries.

SeaWorld’s future direction now remains unclear but we call on the new management to continue the progress made under Manby and not sell out the whales and dolphins held by the company by reversing the important efforts to improve orca welfare or to transfer them to facilities abroad.