Boston, MA 05/19/2014 (wallstreetpr) – SeaWorld Entertainment Inc (NYSE:SEAS), which is alleged to endorse animal cruelty is becoming a nuisance to Southwest Airlines Co (NYSE:LUV) as the two continue their strong promotional partnership.
The website, change.org posted a petition urging the airlines to discontinue its tie with SeaWorld Entertainment Inc (NYSE:SEAS), contemplating that continuance of the partnership would be an indication that Southwest Airlines is supporting animal cruelty. The petition cites the film “Blackfish” and contends that SeaWorld has not only been abusing animals but has also been hiding injuries attained by trainers. The petition emphasizes that SeaWorld’s cruelty has been unfolded it would be inhuman for the airlines to continue the partnership.
Partnership To Continue
Southwest Airlines, which has been partners with SeaWorld Entertainment Inc (NYSE:SEAS) for a long term of 25 years, has been engaged in promoting SeaWorld by offering discounts and deals to its travelers who attend SeaWorld. In response to the petition, the airlines said that the two have been supporting each other in long standing partnership. Southwest Airlines Co (NYSE:LUV) further said that it does not intend to contemplate any changes to the multi- year contract that binds the two as of now. It, however, said that it is investigating the recent concerns that have come up and is looking forward to discuss the matter with the company’s stakeholders.
SeaWorld Responds
SeaWorld has responded to the petition by objecting to Blackfish, in which, it claims that major false assertions have been made. It has highlighted that the film is not a documentary given the misleading and untrue claims it makes, but is propaganda. In its response, it has supported its claims with examples and evidential documents as well. Pointing out the petition’s author, Robin Merritt’s claim, SeaWorld has clarified that the film wrongly depicts that SeaWorld Entertainment Inc (NYSE:SEAS) continues to abuse animals and that it has no long history of doing so. It also presented facts regarding the killing of its trainer in 2010.
