SeaWorld Attendance Falls Following Criticism
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Matt Stroshane/Getty Images(NEW YORK) — Protests and allegations over poor treatment of killer whales hit profits and park attendance at SeaWorld Entertainment.
The company’s share price dropped more than 9 percent Wednesday after poor third-quarter results.
SeaWorld has faced criticism from animal-rights groups and Blackfish, a documentary, over its use of killer whales in shows.
Approximately 8.4 million visitors went to SeaWorld parks during the summer quarter, about half a million less than last year.
“The decline resulted from a combination of factors, including negative media attention in California, along with the challenging competitive environment, particularly in Florida,” Chief Financial Officer James Heaney said on a conference call to investors, according to Bloomberg News.
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