{"success":"true","ddl":{"eventName":"Page Auto Load","eventInstanceID":"66343","eventInfo":{"page":{"pageInfo":{"authors":"David Kirby","author":"David Kirby","issueDate":"2016\/12\/15","permanentTitle":"SeaWorld to Open New Park\u2014Killer Whales Not Included","sponsored":"Not Sponsored","influenceBanner":"No Influence Banner","timeToRead":"00:02:46","elementImpressions":"embedded related story,more on takepart - video,more on takepart - related,more on takepart - promoted","pageId":"66343","pageTitle":"SeaWorld to Open New Park\u2014Killer Whales Not Included","pageUrl":"http:\/\/www.takepart.com\/article\/2016\/12\/15\/seaworld-open-new-park-killer-whales-not-included","pageUrlAlias":"article\/2016\/12\/15\/seaworld-open-new-park-killer-whales-not-included","siteSection":"article","template":"Article"}},"category":{"primaryTopic":"Environment","topics":"Environment,Wildlife,In the News","freeTags":"Abu Dhabi,SeaWorld,killer whales,orcas,captivity,Whale,United Arab Emirates"}}},"output":"\n    \u003Cdiv class = \u0022article-wrapper fresh-content-wrapper clearfix autoloaded \u0022\u003E\n        \u003Cdiv class=\u0022advertisement\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cdiv class=\u0022mobile-article-ad\u0022\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n    \u003C\/div\u003E\n    \n  \u003Cdiv class=\u0022fresh-inner-content-wrapper clearfix\u0022\u003E\n    \u003Carticle class=\u0022col-xs-10 col-xs-offset-1 clearfix node node-openpublish-article view-mode-full view-mode-full\u0022 data-ddl-page-id=\u002266343\u0022 data-tp-og-title=\u0022SeaWorld to Open New Park\u2014Killer Whales Not Included\u0022 data-tp-og-description=\u0022The company\u2019s Abu Dhabi attraction is set to debut in 2020 and will use virtual reality to depict marine life, not live orcas.\u0022 data-tp-og-image=\u0022http:\/\/www.takepart.com\/sites\/default\/files\/killer-whales-seaworld.jpg\u0022 data-tp-og-url=\u0022http:\/\/www.takepart.com\/article\/2016\/12\/15\/seaworld-open-new-park-killer-whales-not-included\u0022\u003E\n\n      \u003Cdiv class=\u0022section\u0022\u003E\n                  \u003Ch1 class=\u0022title\u0022\u003ESeaWorld to Open New Park\u2014Killer Whales Not Included\u003C\/h1\u003E\n                 \u003Cdiv class=\u0022headline\u0022\u003EThe company\u2019s Abu Dhabi attraction is set to debut in 2020 and will use virtual reality to depict marine life, not live orcas.\u003C\/div\u003E\n           \u003C\/div\u003E\n      \u003Cdiv class=\u0022section\u0022\u003E\n        \u003Cdiv class = \u0022align-sticky\u0022\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n            \u003Cdiv class=\u0022row row-remove-xs\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cdiv class=\u0022main-media\u0022\u003E\u003Cimg data-echo=\u0022http:\/\/www.takepart.com\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/large\/public\/killer-whales-seaworld.jpg\u0022 data-icon=\u0022\/sites\/all\/modules\/contrib\/lazyloader\/loader\/loader-7.gif\u0022 src=\u0022http:\/\/www.takepart.com\/sites\/all\/modules\/contrib\/lazyloader\/image_placeholder.gif\u0022 alt=\u0022\u0022 \/\u003E\u003Cnoscript\u003E\u003Cimg src=\u0022http:\/\/www.takepart.com\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/large\/public\/killer-whales-seaworld.jpg\u0022 alt=\u0022\u0022 \/\u003E\u003C\/noscript\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022caption\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENot for export: SeaWorld\u0027s new marine park in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, will not feature orcas. (Photo: Tammy Lo\/Flickr)\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E       \u003C\/div\u003E\n           \u003C\/div\u003E\n      \u003Cdiv class=\u0022section\u0022\u003E\n                 \u003Cdiv class=\u0022row\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cdiv class=\u0022author-teaser col-xxs-12 col-xs-10 col-xs-offset-1\u0022\u003E\n  \u003Cdiv class=\u0022line line-style-2\u0022\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n  \u003Cdiv class=\u0022row author\u0022\u003E\n          \u003Cdiv class=\u0022published-at col-xxs-10 col-xxs-offset-2\u0022\u003EDec 15, 2016\u003Cspan class=\u0022authordotsep\u0022\u003E\u0026#183;\u003C\/span\u003E\n              2 MIN READ\n                 \u003C\/div\u003E\n    \n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022image col-xxs-2\u0022\u003E\u003Cimg class=\u0022img-circle\u0022 src=\u0022http:\/\/www.takepart.com\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/70x70_thumbnail\/public\/profiles\/photos\/david_kirby_120x120.jpg?itok=68_uNEv8\u0022 \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022about col-xxs-10 col-xs-7\u0022\u003EDavid Kirby has been a professional journalist for 25 years. His third book, \u003Cem\u003EDeath at Seaworld\u003C\/em\u003E, was published in 2012.\u003C\/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022links col-xxs-10 col-xxs-offset-2 col-xs-3 col-xs-offset-0\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cul class=\u0022menu horizontal-menu\u0022\u003E\n                  \u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022\/author\/david-kirby\u0022 class=\u0022btn btn-secondary\u0022 id=\u0022author_bio\u0022\u003EBio\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\n                  \u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/twitter.com\/DeathAtSeaworld\u0022 class=\u0022btn btn-secondary\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022icon i-twitter\u0022\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\n                  \u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/plus.google.com\/u\/0\/100426018688248510753\u0022 class=\u0022btn btn-secondary\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022icon i-google_plusone_share\u0022\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\n              \u003C\/ul\u003E\n    \u003C\/div\u003E\n  \u003C\/div\u003E\n  \u003Cdiv class=\u0022line line-style-1\u0022\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n       \u003C\/div\u003E\n                 \u003Cdiv class=\u0022main-content\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cdiv class=\u0022field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden\u0022\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022field-items\u0022\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022field-item even\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWelcome to SeaWorld 2.0.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EOn Tuesday, the company \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/d18rn0p25nwr6d.cloudfront.net\/CIK-0001564902\/ff8f932c-15c8-4742-a76d-f4da2171a71e.pdf\u0022\u003Eannounced\u003C\/a\u003E it is developing a \u201cnext-generation\u201d marine park in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, where virtual reality immerses visitors in the ocean\u2019s realm and Shamu is nowhere to be seen.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u201cSeaWorld Abu Dhabi will be the first new SeaWorld without orcas, and will integrate up-close animal experiences, mega attractions and a world class aquarium, bringing the latest technology in visitor engagement,\u201d the company said in a statement.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIt\u2019s not clear whether the new park, the first SeaWorld outside the United States, will feature other marine mammals, such as dolphins or beluga whales, or where the company would acquire those animals. SeaWorld did not respond to requests for comment.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EOpening ahead of the park will be a \u201cmarine life research, rescue, rehabilitation and return center with world-class facilities,\u201d the statement said. \u201cThis project presents an opportunity for collaboration and greater understanding of how species have adapted to the region\u2019s unique marine environment, and to inspire the next generation of visitors, conservationists and animal care experts.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ESeaWorld will develop the project, slated to open in 2020, in partnership with Abu Dhabi government\u2013backed Miral Asset Management on Yas Island, a burgeoning tourism and entertainment destination in the United Arab Emirates.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe two companies have been discussing the partnership since 2011. Under the deal, SeaWorld will license its brand and provide animal-care expertise. No details about the size and cost of the complex or the types of attractions it will offer were released.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EBut Miral\u2019s chairman, Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, told The \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.mercurynews.com\/2016\/12\/13\/first-seaworld-park-without-orcas-opening-in-abu-dhabi-in-2022\/\u0022\u003EAssociated Press\u003C\/a\u003E that the theme park will deploy 3-D mapping and virtual reality technology to immerse visitors in scientific expeditions or deep-sea dives, something anti-captivity activists have been calling on SeaWorld to do for years.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe announcement of a high-tech, orca-less venue comes at a time when SeaWorld is confronting growing public disapproval for holding killer whales in captivity, declining attendance, and a falling stock price. The company last week said it would \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/money.cnn.com\/2016\/12\/06\/news\/seaworld-layoffs-2016\/\u0022\u003Eeliminate about 320 jobs\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERELATED:\u003C\/strong\u003E \u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.takepart.com\/feature\/2016\/06\/14\/killer-whales-new-life-after-seaworld\u0022\u003EWatch What Happens When You Free a Killer Whale\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ESeaWorld \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.takepart.com\/article\/2016\/03\/17\/seaworld-end-captive-breeding-killer-whales\u0022\u003Eannounced\u003C\/a\u003E in March that it would phase out killer whale shows and end its captive orca breeding program in the United States, and that it would not display the animals at any overseas park it opened. A month later, California \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.takepart.com\/article\/2016\/08\/26\/california-lawmakers-pass-bill-banning-orca-shows-captive-breeding\u0022\u003Epassed a law\u003C\/a\u003E banning orca shows and breeding in that state.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe Abu Dhabi park, then, \u201creally positions SeaWorld for the future in the right way,\u201d SeaWorld chief executive Joel Manby told AP. \u201cThis is the right time to do it, as we are pivoting the brand in a new direction.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAnimal-welfare advocates had mixed feelings about the news.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Caside class=\u0022inline-content col-sm-5 pull-right\u0022\u003E\n          \u003Cdiv class = \u0022inline-content-wrapper\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cdiv class=\u0022line line-style-3 top\u0022\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022inline-label text-center\u0022\u003ERelated\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca class=\u0022inline-content-link\u0022 href=\u0022http:\/\/www.takepart.com\/video\/2016\/06\/14\/sea-pen-explainer\u0022\u003E\n  \u003Cdiv class=\u0022inline-content-inner\u0022\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022field field-name-field-thumbnail field-type-media field-label-hidden\u0022\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022field-items\u0022\u003E\n          \u003Cdiv class=\u0022field-item even\u0022\u003E\u003Cimg data-echo=\u0022http:\/\/www.takepart.com\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/inline_thumbnail\/public\/4-Sea-pens-grid1a-PROMO.jpg?itok=WGiaywoh\u0022 data-icon=\u0022\/sites\/all\/modules\/contrib\/lazyloader\/loader\/loader-7.gif\u0022 src=\u0022http:\/\/www.takepart.com\/sites\/all\/modules\/contrib\/lazyloader\/image_placeholder.gif\u0022 alt=\u0022\u0022 \/\u003E\u003Cnoscript\u003E\u003Cimg src=\u0022http:\/\/www.takepart.com\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/inline_thumbnail\/public\/4-Sea-pens-grid1a-PROMO.jpg?itok=WGiaywoh\u0022 alt=\u0022\u0022 \/\u003E\u003C\/noscript\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n      \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n    \u003Ch3 class=\u0022inline-title text-center\u0022\u003ESee How SeaWorld\u0027s Killer Whales Can Go Home Again\u003C\/h3\u003E\n  \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/a\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022line line-style-3 bottom\u0022\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E  \u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/aside\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003E\u201cHopefully, something new is on the horizon,\u201d said Howard Garrett, director of the Orca Network, a Washington state\u2013based conservation group that has long opposed captivity. \u201cWe have changed society, and SeaWorld is trying to start over. It seems like there\u2019s this reset in Abu Dhabi.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u201cSeaWorld is admitting you can make money without killer whales,\u201d he added.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EGarrett said the use of virtual reality at SeaWorld parks was long overdue.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe\u2019ve been trying to tell them to do that for 15 years,\u201d he said. \u201cNow they are looking at world opinion and, if they stick with this and don\u2019t bring in any orcas\u2014although I\u2019m worried they\u2019ll have a bunch of choreographed dolphins to show\u2014at least they will have a lot of non-animal shows to depict animals, which I think would be far more thrilling and educational, to feel what it\u2019s like to be in a deep-sea habitat with whales and dolphins.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ENaomi Rose, a marine mammal scientist at the Animal Welfare Institute, said the new approach could serve as a model for the entire captive-display industry, though she also worries that marine mammals other than orcas will be brought to the park.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIt will be really interesting to see if they send some of their animals from abroad or potentially even from the wild, though I think that would be unlikely, because back here, it would look hypocritical to get around U.S. laws,\u201d she said.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIf they still want to do business in the United States, what they do abroad matters,\u201d she added. \u201cThey have to stay consistent with how they are rebranding themselves.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ERose is also encouraged by the move toward virtual reality. \u201cIf it\u2019s a huge hit, that will help us more than them,\u201d she said. \u201cWe can say to them, \u2018You should do it everywhere, get rid of these animals.\u2019 \u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E       \u003C\/div\u003E\n           \u003C\/div\u003E\n                \u003C\/article\u003E\n  \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\n","settings":[]}