SeaWorld, Humane Society push for Obama to help end Japanese whaling

ORLANDO, Fla. – SeaWorld and the Humane Society of the United States are asking President Barack Obama to pressure Japan to end its commercial whaling activities.

SeaWorld CEO Joel Manby and Humane Society CEO Wayne Pacelle sent Obama a letter Thursday urging him to treat the end of commercial whaling as a much stronger priority for action within the context of America’s diplomatic relationship with Japan.

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READ MORE: SeaWorld to end captive orca breeding program

The letter accuses Japan of flouting international law and world opinion. It also points out that the United States has the power to lead a comprehensive effort in ending the practice.

The partnership between SeaWorld and The Humane Society comes just weeks after the theme park company announced that it would no longer breed orcas in captivity and would soon stop making them perform.