WestJet ends SeaWorld tie-ins following pressure from PETA

WestJet has dropped its promotional support of SeaWorld following concerns raised by PETA about the treatment of animals at the chain of marine mammal theme parks.

A WestJet spokesperson said the decision followed email exchanges that the airline had with PETA representatives.

“WestJet has made the decision to end our promotional support of SeaWorld,” the spokesperson stated.

Promotional support previously entailed tickets to SeaWorld sold through WestJet Vacations. The tickets could be added on as part of a package.

All mentions of SeaWorld were dropped from the airline’s website and promotional material, according to PETA.

The animal rights advocacy organization said its correspondence with WestJet was accompanied by more than 160,000 emails from concerned citizens who advocated it cut ties with the park.

PETA said it sent WestJet “a box of delicious whale-shaped vegan chocolates” as a gift of thanks for its decision.

It says more than 40 orcas, 300 dolphins and whales, about 450 seals, sea lions and walruses have died at SeaWorld’s parks.

SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment operates a chain of theme parks in the U.S., including SeaWorld locations in San Diego, Orlando and San Antonio.

“No compassionate company today is willing to associate itself with SeaWorld’s orca prisons,” PETA vice-president Tracy Reiman said in a statement. “PETA is calling on kind consumers to stay away from SeaWorld and choose to do business with travel providers such as WestJet that have pledged to do the same.”

Earlier this month, SeaWorld said it was eliminating 125 positions, despite recent increases in attendance and revenue. Spokesperson Travis Claytor says the restructuring affects all of the company’s theme parks as well as corporate offices in Orlando, Florida.

The company cut 350 positions last fall.

SeaWorld attendance fell for years after the 2013 documentary Blackfish argued against keeping orcas in captivity. The company later announced in 2016 it would no longer breed killer whales and would stop using them in shows.

In November 2017, three PETA protesters were barred from SeaWorld San Diego after participating in a protest led by actor James Cromwell.

Cromwell, along with the protesters, barged into an Orca Encounter show four months earlier with signs reading “SeaWorld Kills.” PETA said both parties agreed on the ban but that it planned to still protest against SeaWorld.

PETA stated it is urging SeaWorld to move its orcas and other animals to seaside sanctuaries “where they could enjoy a more natural life.”

SeaWorld did not immediately respond to requests for comment.