Killer whales, or orcas, currently at SeaWorld will be the last generation at the theme parks, the company announced Thursday morning.
SeaWorld Entertainment said it is ending all orca breeding as of Thursday.
In place of orca shows, the company will introduce new, natural orca encounters as part of its focus on education and marine science research. The new programs will focus on orca enrichment, exercise and overall health. The changes take effect at its San Diego park next year, followed by San Antonio and then Orlando in 2019.
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SeaWorld says the current population of orcas will live out the remainder of their lives at the company's park habitats. Guests will still be able to observe orcas in viewing areas within the parks' existing habitats.
Joel Manby, president and CEO of SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc., said Thursday that society's changing attitudes about captive killer whales influenced the company's decision.
"SeaWorld has introduced more than 400 million guests to orcas, and we are proud of our part in contributing to the human understanding of these animals," Manby said. "As society's understanding of orcas continues to change, SeaWorld is changing with it. By making this the last generation of orcas in our care and reimagining how guests will encounter these beautiful animals, we are fulfilling our mission of providing visitors to our parks with experiences that matter."
SeaWorld also announced a partnership with the Humane Society of the United States.
The company is committing $50 million over the next five years toward its efforts in marine animal rescue and ending commercial killing of whales and seals.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals issued a response to SeaWorld's announcement:
"PETA has campaigned hard, and now there is a payoff for future generations of orcas — but today is the day to stop breeding, not sometime later this year," said Ingrid E. Newkirk, president of PETA. "SeaWorld must open its tanks to the oceans to allow the orcas it now holds captive to have some semblance of a life outside these prison tanks."
SeaWorld has faced criticism in recent years for it treatment of whales after the release of the documentary "Blackfish." The company has seen a decrease in attendance and declining profits at its parks.
Years of troubled waters for SeaWorld's killer whale shows
February 2010 — SeaWorld trainer Dawn Brancheau was interacting with a killer whale called Tilikum before a live audience at SeaWorld Orlando when it pulled her from a platform by her arm and held her under the water. While an autopsy report said Brancheau drowned, she suffered severe trauma, including multiple fractures and a severed spinal cord.
January 2013 — The highly critical documentary film "Blackfish,'' which focused on Tilikum, premiers at the Sundance Film Festival. Rights to the film were acquired by Magnolia Pictures and also CNN for broader release.
November 2013 — Protesters descend on Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, which features a SeaWorld float depicting rolling waves, tropical fish, penguins and Shamu.
December 2013 — The rock bands Heart and Barenaked Ladies along with country singer Willie Nelson cancel performances at SeaWorld in Florida, citing "Blackfish.''
July 2014 — Southwest Airlines ends 25-year marketing partnership with SeaWorld under pressure from animal rights activists.
August 2014 — Under sustained criticism over its treatment of killer whales, SeaWorld vows to build new, larger environments at its theme parks and fund additional research on the animals along with programs to protect ocean health and whales in the wild.
December 2014 — CEO Jim Atchison resigns and the company lays off more than 300 workers.
March 2015 — SeaWorld opens a marketing campaign to counter mounting damage to its public image from "Blackfish.''
May 2015 — SeaWorld is cited in California for not adequately protecting its killer-whale trainers at its park in San Diego.
July 2015 — SeaWorld suspends an employee accused of posing for years as an animal-rights activist and trying to incite violence among peaceful protesters.
August 2015 — SeaWorld reports falling profits as animal activists protest the company's treatment of whales.
October 2015 — California Coastal Commission approves a $100 million expansion of the tanks SeaWorld uses to hold killer whales in San Diego — but bans breeding of the captive orcas that would live in them.
October 2015 — SeaWorld challenges Coastal Commission ruling that banning the breeding of captive killer whales at its San Diego park.
November 2015 — SeaWorld announces it will end orca shows at its San Diego park by 2017.
December 2015 — SeaWorld files a lawsuit claiming that a California commission overreached when it banned the breeding of captive killer whales at a $100 million planned exhibit at San Diego's SeaWorld.
January 2016 — SeaWorld agrees on proposed settlement over allegations that the park failed to train workers to safely interact with killer whales.
February 2016 — SeaWorld acknowledges that it orchestrated the infiltration of an animal rights group, sending its own workers for what it describes as security purposes. The company reports a fourth-quarter loss of $11 million.
March 8, 2016 — Tilikum, the orca whale that killed trainer Dawn Brancheau, is sick and may die from a bacterial infection, SeaWorld announces.
March 17, 2016 — SeaWorld announces the end of killer whale shows at its theme parks. The current generation of orcas will be the last.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.