151 seaworld is ending its controversial killer whale breeding programs the theme park operator said in a statement today its treatment of the orcas has come under fierce criticism since the release of the 2013 documentary blackfish seaworld has been listening and were changing the statement said society is changing and were changing with it seaworld is finding new ways to continue to deliver on our purpose to inspire all our guests to take action to protect wild animals and wild places its changing the breeding policy as of today but none of the 29 orcas in seaworlds care will be released according to the statement seaworld announces plan to phase out killer whale show by 2017 seaworld orca that killed trainer is ill former whale trainer says seaworld leading smear campaign against him the best place for them is at seaworld no whale born under human care has been released successfully company ceo joel manby said these majestic orcas will not be released into the ocean nor confined to sea cages they could not survive in oceans to compete for food be exposed to unfamiliar diseases or to have to deal with environmental concerns including pollution and other manmade threats instead they will live long and healthy lives under love and care of our dedicated veterinary and other trained specialists where they can inspire this and future generations to be conservationists around the world through natural presentations that are fun exiting and will educate guests about the plight of orcas in the wild seaworld has operations in florida texas and california that includes seaworld orlando where trainer dawn brancheau was killed by popular orca tilikum in 2010 that was a very horrific moment for our company manby said dawns death is something none of us will ever get over manby also acknowledged that blackfish did have an impact saying whether its a movie whether its customers riding us there is no doubt the mindset of society has changed i think we have to change with it but seaworld hopes the announcement and a new partnership with the humane society previously one of the companys loudest critic will signal a new direction its not perfect we do have disagreements but dont want the perfect to be the enemy of the good humane society president wayne pacelle said in a statement released today todays announcement signals that the era of captive display of orcas will end and that seaworld will redouble its work around rescue and rehabilitation of marine mammals in crisis and partner with us to tackle global threats to marine creatures the company had announced last year that it would be phasing out its killer whale shows in 2016 and replacing them with a new orca experience at its san diego park