SeaWorld: Don’t Separate Polar Bear Best Friends!

  • by: Julie S.
  • recipient: Joel Manby, CEO SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment

Polar bear Snowflake has enjoyed the friendship of fellow polar bear Szenja for 20 years. Sadly, SeaWorld now wants to separate the two bears. SeaWorld plans to move Snowflake from its San Diego facility to the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium in an effort to breed her. This plan is unlikely to be successful given that 65% of captive polar bear cubs do not survive, and that previous attempts to breed Snowflake - including a disturbing forced artificial insemination - have failed.

SeaWorld's plan to transport Snowflake across the country for its own benefit of acquiring new polar bears is both cruel and irresponsible. It is unfortunate that Snowflake and Szenja have lived their entire lives in captivity, and inhumane that SeaWorld would attempt to separate them after a 20-year friendship.

Furthermore, if plans to breed Snowflake are successful, a new generation of polar bears would be subjected to miserable lives in captivity. PETA president Ingrid Newkirk has commented that a "bleak future awaits" any cubs that Snowflake bears.

Of additional concern is the fact that the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium is not accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the organization that sets standards and policies for animal welfare in the United States.

SeaWorld is attempting to breed Snowflake under the guise of "conservation" efforts as polar bears are considered a vulnerable species. We must send a strong message that the true goal of conservation is to protect species in the wild, not to subject animals to unnatural lives in captivity for research purposes. Please sign this petition urging SeaWorld CEO Joel Manby to stop plans to separate polar bear friends Snowflake and Szenja, and to send both bears to an accredited wildlife sanctuary.

Dear Mr. Manby,


I urge you to stop plans to separate polar bear friends Snowflake and Szenja, and send both bears to an accredited wildlife sanctuary.


SeaWorld’s plan to transport Snowflake across the country for its own potential benefit of acquiring new polar bears is both cruel and irresponsible. It is unfortunate that Snowflake and Szenja have lived their entire lives in captivity, and inhumane that SeaWorld would attempt to separate them after a 20-year friendship.


Plans to breed Snowflake are unlikely to be successful given that 65% of captive polar bear cubs do not survive, and that previous attempts to breed her – including a disturbing forced artificial insemination - have failed.


Furthermore, if plans to breed Snowflake are successful, a new generation of polar bears would be subjected to miserable lives in captivity. As a result of widespread public outrage, SeaWorld has ended its orca breeding program. It is time that the organization stops breeding all species of wild animals for its own selfish purposes.


Of additional concern is the fact that the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium is not accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the organization that sets standards and policies for animal welfare in the United States.


While you are attempting to breed Snowflake for “conservation” efforts, the true goal of conservation is to protect species in the wild, not to subject animals to unnatural lives in captivity for research purposes.


Again, I ask that you show compassion for both bears by allowing them to maintain their friendship and sending them to accredited wildlife sanctuary where they can have a more natural life.


Thank you for your consideration.


[your comments]


Sincerely,


[your name]

Update #16 years ago
Sadly, polar bear Szenja, who was left behind at SeaWorld's San Diego park, passed away after SeaWorld shipped her best friend Snowflake to the Pittsburgh Zoo. However, we will continue in our efforts to stop the suffering of other captive animals. Thank you for speaking on behalf on Szenja and Snowflake.
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