Some things I have been reading

[CPT Tripss]

I don't think Sea World is cruel to animals at all. I love Sea World and will continue to go and support them.

HOWEVER: (this is a question for my own knowledge) Isn't the reason you see the Killer Whales with their top fin kinda curved to one side from being in captivity?

Fin collapse is likely caused by a combination of dietary stress, exposure to warmer air and sun due to inadequate depth in the pools, and low blood pressure resulting from inadequate activity. It is seldom seen in wild orca unless they are injured or ill.

Cruel?

 

[lexandme]

2012 revenue for Sea World was 1.4 billion dollars. This outpaced increases in their expenses. When they purchased Sea World in 2009, the Blackstone group structured the purchase to immediately begin getting tax deductions under the US laws depreciation rules. This is legal and Sea World admits this. Sea World spent 9 million of this money on rescue and rehabilitation. This was done through a non-profit 501(c)3 organization. This means they pay no state or federal taxes on this money! More tax savings.
I know all of this is legal and that other corporations use the tax laws to their benefit as well. But no one, I repeat no other corporation does it on the backs of innocent animals. (These figures are all available on line for those of you that question them.)
I am also appalled and disgusted that after earning 1.4 billion, only 9 million (tax write off) was devoted to rescue and rehab. Remember those figures when they take your money at the door while lying to you about their rehab programs!

 

[lexandme]

Now I want to see the documentary.

There are many disturbing videos taken at Sea World (as well as other captive marine parks) available on youtube. Horrible, horrible abuse of animals.
My favorite is the excuse Sea World used for allowing whales and dolphins to struggle to get back in the water after sliding out onto dry areas. They say they must learn to do it in order to submit to medical exams, etc. This is such an unnatural behavior! They do not do this in the wild and struggling for up to a half hour on a concrete surface causes skin damage and puts extreme pressure on an animal that was designed to float freely in the water.
That's abuse in my book!

 

[sonnyjane]

2012 revenue for Sea World was 1.4 billion dollars. This outpaced increases in their expenses. When they purchased Sea World in 2009, the Blackstone group structured the purchase to immediately begin getting tax deductions under the US laws depreciation rules. This is legal and Sea World admits this. Sea World spent 9 million of this money on rescue and rehabilitation. This was done through a non-profit 501(c)3 organization. This means they pay no state or federal taxes on this money! More tax savings.
I know all of this is legal and that other corporations use the tax laws to their benefit as well. But no one, I repeat no other corporation does it on the backs of innocent animals. (These figures are all available on line for those of you that question them.)
I am also appalled and disgusted that after earning 1.4 billion, only 9 million (tax write off) was devoted to rescue and rehab. Remember those figures when they take your money at the door while lying to you about their rehab programs!

Lex, 1.4 billion revenue, do you know what, if any, was profit after operating costs? I know here in San Diego they did get slammed in the media for not paying a cent of taxes, but I was curious how much profit was made since they make a big deal about "losses" here.

 

[lexandme]

Lex, 1.4 billion revenue, do you know what, if any, was profit after operating costs? I know here in San Diego they did get slammed in the media for not paying a cent of taxes, but I was curious how much profit was made since they make a big deal about "losses" here.

Not sure of those figures however I do know there was a profit. It's very easy to find the figures if you google their 2012 revenue reports. I was reading last night and didn't have a chance to get back to their report to shareholders document.

 

[lexandme]

To all of my anti-captivity friends on this board - the list below indicates what can be done! Keep talking!

Captive Facilities —Closed
January 10, 2010 by David Phillips, Save Japan Dolphins



Facility Name Location Status

Lerner Marine Lab Bimini, Bahamas Islands Closed
Marineland Adelaide, Australia Closed
Waragamba Dam Dolphinarium Waragamba, Australia Closed
Antwerp Zoo Dolphinarium Antwerp, Belgium Closed
Hagenbeck Zoo Dolphinarium Hamburg, Germany Closed
Kinder Zoo Dolphinarium Rapperswil, Switzerland Closed
Tel Aviv Dolphinarium Tel Aviv, Israel Closed
Luna Park Dolphinarium Tel Aviv, Israel Closed
Seaquarium San Andres, Colombia Closed
Ocean Reef Club Dolphinarium Key Largo, Florida Closed
Oklahoma City Zoo Dolphinarium Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Closed
Ocean World Ft. Lauderdale, Florida Closed
US Navy Dolphin Facility Key West, Florida Closed
Santos Amusement Park Santos, Brazil Closed
Dolphin Swim Program Buenos Aires Argentina Closed
Ocean Expo Dolphinarium Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Never Opened
Dolphin Swim Program Managua, Nicaragua Never Opened
Dolphin Swim Program Guatemala City, Guatemala Closed
Europapark Rust Rust, Germany Closed
Hansaland Dolphinarium Hamburg, Germany Closed
Holiday Park Dolphinarium Hossloch, Germany Closed
Phantasialand Dolphinarium Bruhl, Germany Closed
Paramount Parks (four parks) USA Closed
Wonderland Maple, Ontario, Canada Closed
Worlds of Fun Dolphinarium Kansas City, Missouri Closed
Knotts Berry Farm Dolphinarium Los Angeles, California Closed
Six Flags Dolphinarium Aurora, Ohio Closed
Marine Life Dolphinarium Sioux Falls, South Dakota Closed
Colorado Ocean Journey Denver, Colorado Never Opened
Virginia Marine Science Center Virginia Beach, Virginia Never Opened
Proposed Dolphinarium Maui, Hawaii Never Opened
Sealand Dolphinarium Victoria, BC Never Opened
Montreal Biodome Quebec, Canada No Belugas
Vancouver Aquarium Vancouver, Canada No Orca Show
Granby Zoo Quebec, Canada Never Opened
Dolphin Swim Park Les Arcadins Islands, Haiti Closed
Flamingo Land England Closed
Brighton Dolphinarium England Closed
Morecambe Dolphinarium England Closed
Windsor Safari Park England Closed
Moulin Rouge Nightclub Paris, France Closed
Seaorama Galveston, Texas Closed
Ocean World Ft. Lauderdale, Florida Closed
Cedar Fair Sandusky, Ohio Closed
Kings Island Kings Island, Ohio Closed
Six Flags over Texas Arlington, Texas Closed
Six Flags Mid-America Eureka, Missouri Closed
Astro-World of Houston Houston, Texas Closed
Six Flags Magic Mountain Los Angeles, California Closed
Paradise Acapulco, Mexico Closed
Centro Vacacional Oaxtepec Mexico Never Opened
Edmonton Shopping Mall Edmonton, Canada Closed
Louisville Marine Display Louisville, Kentucky Never Opened
Dolphin Discovery Antigua, West Indies Closed
Atlantida Dolphinarium St. Martin, Dutch West Indies Never Opened
Vodnjan Dolphinarium Vodnjan, Croatia Never Opened

 

[sonnyjane]

Not sure of those figures however I do know there was a profit. It's very easy to find the figures if you google their 2012 revenue reports. I was reading last night and didn't have a chance to get back to their report to shareholders document.

Ok, looks like they had a profit of $77.4 million in 2012. (http://articles.orlandosentinel.com...t-soars-seaworld-orlando-seaworld-san-antonio)

In that light, $9 million compared to their profit (not revenue) doesn't look as paltry, but I would like to see where the rest of the money went (who gets raises, etc.?)

 

[lexandme]

Ok, looks like they had a profit of $77.4 million in 2012. (http://articles.orlandosentinel.com...t-soars-seaworld-orlando-seaworld-san-antonio)

In that light, $9 million compared to their profit (not revenue) doesn't look as paltry, but I would like to see where the rest of the money went (who gets raises, etc.?)

I know they donated 175,00.00 to Mitt Romney's campaign!

If you have a few minutes read the story of former sea world animal handler Cynthia Payne. It will break your heart.

voiceoftheorcas.blogspot.com

 

[CPT Tripss]

2012 revenue for Sea World was 1.4 billion dollars. This outpaced increases in their expenses. When they purchased Sea World in 2009, the Blackstone group structured the purchase to immediately begin getting tax deductions under the US laws depreciation rules. This is legal and Sea World admits this. Sea World spent 9 million of this money on rescue and rehabilitation. This was done through a non-profit 501(c)3 organization. This means they pay no state or federal taxes on this money! More tax savings.
I know all of this is legal and that other corporations use the tax laws to their benefit as well. But no one, I repeat no other corporation does it on the backs of innocent animals. (These figures are all available on line for those of you that question them.)
I am also appalled and disgusted that after earning 1.4 billion, only 9 million (tax write off) was devoted to rescue and rehab. Remember those figures when they take your money at the door while lying to you about their rehab programs!

Are you sure it was that much? Last (two years ago) IRS 990 I saw was much less, that was for their sponsored charity. Who else do they donate to? Of course the charitable donations are non taxable funds and reduce their taxes.

 

[lexandme]

Are you sure it was that much? Last (two years ago) IRS 990 I saw was much less, that was for their sponsored charity. Who else do they donate to? Of course the charitable donations are non taxable funds and reduce their taxes.

300% increase from 2011. Tripled profit from 19.1 million to 77.4 million in 2012.

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com...t-soars-seaworld-orlando-seaworld-san-antonio

 

[sonnyjane]

Are you sure it was that much? Last (two years ago) IRS 990 I saw was much less, that was for their sponsored charity. Who else do they donate to? Of course the charitable donations are non taxable funds and reduce their taxes.

300% increase from 2011. Tripled profit from 19.1 million to 77.4 million in 2012.

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com...t-soars-seaworld-orlando-seaworld-san-antonio

I think CPT means are you sure they donated $9 million? On their website I see that in 2012 they gave "$2.5 million to ensure the sustainability of animal species in the wild.". That was through the SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund.

 

[CPT Tripss]

Indeed, that is what I meant. I am a skeptic, and don't believe claimed contributions by corps or claimed grants or other good works by charities until I see them on the charity's IRS 990 form. SeaWorld Busch Garden Conservation Fund 2012 form shows revenue (contributions) of $614K of which $405K came from SeaWorld. $2.5 M is a really big jump.

Are they now donating to other charities?

 

[lexandme]

Indeed, that is what I meant. I am a skeptic, and don't believe claimed contributions by corps or claimed grants or other good works by charities until I see them on the charity's IRS 990 form. SeaWorld Busch Garden Conservation Fund 2012 form shows revenue (contributions) of $614K of which $405K came from SeaWorld. $2.5 M is a really big jump.

Are they now donating to other charities?

I am also a skeptic. My figures on that may be way off. I was very tired when I was reading! But I do know they contributed 175,000 to Romney

No matter how they spin it, it's still a torturous piece of earth.

Taiji dolphin slaughter and capture begins September 1. I wonder how many will end up at Sea World properties?

 

[KBF]

Taiji dolphin slaughter and capture begins September 1. I wonder how many will end up at Sea World properties?

0 Because it's illegal in the United States for marine parks to import whales or Dolphins from Taiji.

 

[lexandme]

0 Because it's illegal in the United States for marine parks to import whales or Dolphins from Taiji.

It sure is. But Sea World gets them in via "rescue" from other countries. Same process as the Russian belugas that were denied.
Taiji also supplies dolphins to swim with dolphin programs in the Bahamas, Caribbean and Mexico. DCL offers these opportunities on their cruises.

 

[CPT Tripss]

Sadly, every cruise line seems to offer the dolphins . . .

 

[sonnyjane]

0 Because it's illegal in the United States for marine parks to import whales or Dolphins from Taiji.

Yeah, unfortunately like Lex said, they have ways on paper to get around it. "Research", "rescue", buying them from another organization that captured them and did the dirty work instead. I realize this sounds very "tree hugger" and several years ago when I was applying to jobs at Sea World I would have been defending them like you are. The truth is that I'm kind of "on the inside" now as far as the animal industry is concerned and therefore I can say that there are a lot of dirty secrets that people don't know regarding not only Sea World but many facilities. There are places with good reputations and places with bad ones. The beluga thing for SW, Georgia, and Shedd was really kind of scandalous in my industry and I'm glad it wasn't allowed, but transactions like that happen ALL the time. And marine animals that aren't protected (sharks (especially the whale sharks) rays, fish) are still routinely plucked from the wild regularly. Sea lions? Dolphins? Whales? You'd be surprised how many are "non-releasable" and enter captivity... How hard did you try to release them? In many cases they make that determination after very little effort to fill their roster. Again I reiterate that this is NOT just a SW practice.

 

[CPT Tripss]

Interesting that Shedd contributed in 2012 to the SeaWorld Busch Garden charity. Quid pro quo for what?

 

[KBF]

Yeah, unfortunately like Lex said, they have ways on paper to get around it. "Research", "rescue", buying them from another organization that captured them and did the dirty work instead. I realize this sounds very "tree hugger" and several years ago when I was applying to jobs at Sea World I would have been defending them like you are. The truth is that I'm kind of "on the inside" now as far as the animal industry is concerned and therefore I can say that there are a lot of dirty secrets that people don't know regarding not only Sea World but many facilities. There are places with good reputations and places with bad ones. The beluga thing for SW, Georgia, and Shedd was really kind of scandalous in my industry and I'm glad it wasn't allowed, but transactions like that happen ALL the time. And marine animals that aren't protected (sharks (especially the whale sharks) rays, fish) are still routinely plucked from the wild regularly. Sea lions? Dolphins? Whales? You'd be surprised how many are "non-releasable" and enter captivity... How hard did you try to release them? In many cases they make that determination after very little effort to fill their roster. Again I reiterate that this is NOT just a SW practice.

Do you mind me asking how you're "on the inside"? Not doubting what you're saying, I'm just interested in knowing how you're considered "on the inside"

I don't think Seaworld would ever want to even begin to try and get a dolphin or whale from Japan, rescue or not. They already have enough bad publicity right now, I don't think they could afford another publicity crisis that would surely come about if they got dolphins from Japan.

 

[sonnyjane]

Do you mind me asking how you're "on the inside"? Not doubting what you're saying, I'm just interested in knowing how you're considered "on the inside"

I don't think Seaworld would ever want to even begin to try and get a dolphin or whale from Japan, rescue or not. They already have enough bad publicity right now, I don't think they could afford another publicity crisis that would surely come about if they got dolphins from Japan.

Oh sorry. I discussed it in the other thread. I am an animal trainer at a zoo. I also have many, many friends that are employees at SW, as well as Animal Kingdom and zoos and aquariums around the country. We are a very small group - everyone knows somebody who knows somebody, etc.