The word is out. SeaWorld came clean admitting that some of its employees were posing as protesters to spy on animal rights groups in an effort to silence critics.

This is only one of the dirty tricks and underhanded tricks being played by the corporation.  Ever since Blackfish documentary all but destroyed the theme park’s reputation they have been accused of sending out moles to gather as much intel as possible while discrediting the work of protesters. 

According to the Blackfish study co-author and former SeaWorld trainer “It’s paranoid behavior by a corporation that is trying to control the message like they always have.”  The Blackfish documentary disclosed how the highly intelligent orcas turned violent from being forced to perform in captivity. 

The disclosures in the Blackfish documentary have made business difficult for the corporation and the public relations nightmare is continuing with the third death of a relatively young 12-year old white-sided dolphin at SeaWorld Antonio. All three deaths have occurred at this site within three months of each other.

Last June the Orlando Sentinel released information that the US department of Agriculture was looking onto the deaths of two dolphins at SeaWorld after a a 7 year old bottlenose dolphin died of suspected pneumonia. 

SeaWorld revenues took an 84% nose dive during the second quarter of 2015 and the stock price dropped by 11%. 

CEO Joel Manby admitted that SeaWorld had spies tailing critics. He made a conference call to investors and he said that SeaWorld’s board of directors “Directed management to end the practice in which certain employees posed as animal welfare activists.”  According to CEO Manby “This activity was undertaken in connection with efforts to maintain the safety and security of employees, customers and animals in the face of credible threats.”