SeaWorld lays off undisclosed number
Amid better financial picture, spokeswoman says ‘limited’ jobs cut
Even with SeaWorld’s finances improving, the company laid off an undisclosed number of employees Friday, said a spokeswoman, who called it a move toward greater efficiency.
“Like most companies, we regularly evaluate operations to ensure we are properly organized for performance and efficiency,” Suzanne Pelisson-Beasley said Saturday. “As part of those ongoing efforts, SeaWorld has eliminated a limited number of positions.”
She declined to say in what departments the cuts were made. SeaWorld Entertainment, based in Orlando, has 12 theme parks across the country — including its marquee SeaWorld Orlando and sister Aquatica water park as well as Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.
On social media, there were unconfirmed reports that the cuts included animal trainers, bird staff and the animal ambassadors who go out into the public to teach about wildlife. Other departments, from merchandise to entertainment to park operations, also were affected, according to a website where people can post anonymously about layoffs.
When asked if SeaWorld was cutting back on animal shows or conservation efforts, PelissonBeasley would only say, “We remain committed to our conservation, education and rescue mission.”
In addition to animal shows and rides, SeaWorld Orlando has a rescue team that often travels to save sick manatees and other animals. It can take years before they are healthy enough — and have the federal government’s signoff — to release back into the wild.
The layoffs come under the new CEO Gus Antorcha, a former cruise executive, who took over as the company’s chief executive on Feb. 18.
SeaWorld leaders have previously said they are trying to save millions as the company opens new attractions and continues to rebound after years of struggles. Pelisson-Beasley declined to say how much the latest round of cuts might save.
SeaWorld has a history of cut
ting staff in recent times.
In August 2018, SeaWorld eliminated 125 positions amid a companywide restructuring at a time when the company impressed analysts with its quarterly earnings.
During a more tumultuous
time for the company, when attendance was still down, SeaWorld cut 350 positions in October 2017. The company faced challenges with declining attendance after backlash from the antiwhale captivity documentary “Blackfish” and fell further behind in the theme park competition against Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando, which
changed the landscape with its Harry Potter-themed lands.
As of Dec. 31, SeaWorld employed about 4,700 people full-time and 12,000 part-time, according to a March SEC filing.
“The next time you visit the park, whether today, tomorrow or weeks or months from now and you see someone working with the animals please take a moment to say, ‘Hi’ and thank them for all the hard work and dedication they put into their job,” on poster commented on social media. “Trust me, they will appreciate your kind words.”