Sir Richard Branson, the founder of Virgin Group, is involved in many great humanitarian and conservation initiatives so it came as a surprise that Virgin Group would support trips to SeaWorld. We are asking Sir Branson and Virgin Group to cease offering these excursions on their Virgin Holidays website due to the plight of the marine mammals at SeaWorld.
The marine mammals are forced to listen to blasting music and screaming people at the SeaWorld shows. Cetaceans, such as the Orcas used in these shows, have extremely sensitive hearing. It is proven that they hear much higher frequencies than we do and therefore, the loud music and cheering crowds are painful and disturbing for the dolphins in captivity. They also have a shorter life span in captivity due to stress and are prone to developing mental heath problems.
Please watch the movie Blackfish to get an understanding of the trauma these animals are subjected to. They are kept in bathtub like enclosures away from their pods and natural environment. This is a cruel and depressing existence.
We hope Sir Branson and Virgin Group will do the right thing for these magnificent animals by cutting ties with SeaWorld and helping further Sir Branson's conservation efforts. Your powerful voice is needed.
