Since the release of Blackfish in 2013, worldwide opinions on SeaWorld changed. The Netflix documentary profiled an orca whale called Tilikum, who was responsible for the death of three humans during his time in captivity. Blackfish suggested that killer whales become more aggressive toward humans and each other when held in captivity, and it came out three years after Tilikum pulled a trainer into the water and held her under, killing her during a live performance to a huge audience in Orlando.

In 2016, SeaWorld vowed to end their orca breeding program and entertainment shows involving killer whales at the tourist attraction. Tilikum died early last year due to a bacterial infection. A few months later, a polar bear unexpectedly died in San Diego's SeaWorld just weeks after it's long-term companion was moved to a zoo.

In relation to the bad press and the mounting concern for animal welfare at the tourist site, a major travel company has just vowed to stop selling tickets to SeaWorld. Thomas Cook, a leading British group tour operator and airline, released a statement to confirm they will stop selling tickets to attractions to SeaWorld, as well as to Loro Parque, another amusement park keeping killer whales in captivity in Tenerife.

"This was not a decision we took lightly," CEO Peter Fankhauser said in a statement. "We always said that we would continue to review our policy, conscious that the more we got into this area, the more we would learn, and conscious also of changing customer sentiment.

“We have actively engaged with a range of animal welfare specialists in the last 18 months, and taken account of the scientific evidence they have provided. We have also taken feedback from our customers, more than 90% of whom told us that it was important that their holiday company takes animal welfare seriously.

“That has led us to the decision we have taken today.”

It may cost the company hundreds of thousands in losses and will mean that customers will need to purchase tickets for the parks via other means, if they do desire to visit.

Though Fankhauser said both SeaWorld and Loro Parque “passed our audit process and made improvements to the way they treat animals”, they ultimately decided to end business relations with the attractions, as well as 29 other companies over animal welfare issues.

In response to the announcement, a representative for SeaWorld told Huffington Post: “Millions of UK guests have visited our parks for fun, education and to help contribute to the protection of marine animals and their habitats.

“They have seen first-hand the incredible care we provide all of our animals and learned about how we are protecting and saving species in the wild. Although we have ended breeding for orcas, the current animals in our care will be with us and our visitors for many years to come.

“We will continue to welcome the public into our parks for the unmatched experiences we create every day.”

The ban will come into force next summer and has the potential to set an example for other travel companies to follow suit.

If you haven't seen the 2013 documentary, Blackfish, about the dangers of the sea-park industry, you've surely heard of it. And if not, the social issue of holding animals in captivity isn't hard to understand. Keeping wild animals in confined spaces affects their health, mood and actions.

That's why travel agency, Virgin Holidays, has stopped offering packages to locations that promote animal cruelty through captivity, especially as these evils pertain to cetacean mammals like whales and dolphins. En lieu, Joe Thompson, Managing Director of Virgin Holidays says the company will offer natural, at-distance encounters with animals.

Virgin Holidays isn't the only travel company to make this kind of shift. Thomas Cook did so last year when the travel agency stopped selling trips to SeaWorld and Tenerife's Loro Parque - both of which were featured in Blackfish - as well as 27 other attractions.

Virgin Holidays chose to make this decision after discovering that 92 per cent of UK holidaymakers would prefer to watch animals in their natural habitats. So, they've given the people what they want, and are instead choosing to promote seeing animals in the wild, or in places that support animals currently in captivity.

In light of this news, naturally, sea-park giant SeaWorld is not happy. Speaking to Mirror Online, they said:

"It is disappointing to see Virgin Holidays succumb to pressure from animal activists who mislead and manipulate marine mammal science to advance their agendas. Virgin’s own corporate mission is having a measurable purpose that positively impacts communities and the environment. SeaWorld is the epitome of that mission."

"With more than 35,000 animal rescues and decades of meaningful scientific contributions,  we are proud to be a recognized global leader in marine mammal science, education and, in particular, providing preeminent care to all of our marine mammals."

But being cognisant of animal rights is never a bad thing, especially when there are other ways to learn about and enjoy their beauty without harming them.

A horrific moment that occurred at SeaWorld over a decade ago led to shocked guests at the park watching an orca kill a trainer.

In March 2010, trainer Dawn Brancheau met a tragic end when a 12,000-pound killer whale known as Tilikum, or "Tilly", seized her and dragged her underwater.

The whales often went by the stage name "Shamu" for paying guests.

Following an investigation into the incident, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) implemented a prohibition on trainers entering the water with whales during shows.

As reported by the Sun, one witness, Susanne De Wit, vividly recounted the terror of that day, recalling seeing Brancheau caught in the orca's jaws as it approached the viewing window.

De Wit told the Orange County Sheriff's Office: "They told us he was playing with the trainer. Suddenly I saw Shamu grabbing the trainer by the shoulder and pulling her down in the water near the window.

"It did not look normal. It was scary. He was very wild with the trainer still in the whale’s mouth. The whale’s tail was very wild in the water. The tour guide pulled us out and there was a full alarm. We then saw them throw a net into the water."

A report on the incident also referenced De Wit's testimony, noting her observation of Brancheau's frantic movements as the whale shook violently.

Reflecting on the tragedy, Brancheau’s sister Debbie Frogameni shared her ongoing struggle to comprehend the events, telling the Sun: "Some days, I think we are still processing her loss.

"Dawn was just so special to so many people and I'm not sure you ever get past losing someone like her. I think we do find some comfort knowing that she accomplished and experienced more in her short 40 years than most people who live long lives. But that doesn't take away what our family and the world lost that day."

In response to inquiries, SeaWorld issued a statement, acknowledging the incident and assuring that stringent safety protocols have been in place since then.

"That tragic situation happened more than 12 years ago. Trainers have not been in the water training with killer whales for many years. We have extensive protocols and training in place to protect the safety of our trainers and animals," the park said.

SeaWorld was put under intense scrutiny with the release of Black Fish on Netflix, which looked deeper into the treatment of orcas at the park.

While the organization still has killer whales in their care, they won't be breeding anymore and this will be the last generation at SeaWorld.

Featured image credit: Gerardo Mora/Getty