SeaWorld Orlando debuted its all-new killer whale show, “One Ocean” on Earth Day Friday, replacing the popular “Believe”, a killer whale show that enjoyed a five-year run.
According to a statement released by the marine and amusement theme park giant, “One Ocean” features SeaWorld’s majestic killer whales as ambassadors of the sea and the whales are the true stars of the show. The whales exhibit spectacular behaviors, including thrilling high-energy leaps and multiple whales performing simultaneously.
The “One Ocean” show provides new ways for the whales to interact with trainers, the audience and one another and even the set itself, the statement added.
Such modifications come after one of SeaWorld’s trainers, Dawn Brancheau was killed by a six-ton killer whale named Tilikum in February 2010 and which was observed by park guests. Brancheau was grabbed by Tilikum and pulled under water during what SeaWorld described as a “relationship session”. Video footage showed the killer whale repeatedly striking and trashing Brancheau, even as she tried to escape.
Following Brancheau’s death, the U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited SeaWorld for three safety violations, including one classified as willful and fined the company $75,000, which SeaWorld appealed.
Today, SeaWorld stressed that, the company had collaborated with trainers, producers, designers and educators on new ways to connect with SeaWorld guests and show how closely the human and animal worlds are connected.
