Science

Is SeaWorld Honest About the Health and Safety of Captive Orcas?

What’s barely truth and what’s missing in the troubled park’s latest ad campaign.

In April of this year, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment launched a national campaign trumpeting its commitment to the health and safety of captive orcas. Featured prominently in the commercial are two SeaWorld employees: Lara, a veterinarian, and Pedro, a member of the animal rescue staff, who make several claims about the wellbeing and care provided to this specific mammal population of the park. Since its release, the ad has been under attack by many.

In the video above, Slate provides counterpoints to each claim offered by SeaWorld and its staff to discover that, at best, the truth to their statements is without some very important and disturbing context.