An aerial picture demonstrating the size of SeaWorld orca pool in contrast with an adjacent recreational lake has sparked outrage on social media.
Sadly, the orca pool is much smaller than the lake used for leisure activities and is almost negligible when compared to a nearby car park.
The map’s image shared by The Orca Project on Facebook has been shared 93,000 times until now, receiving thousands of comments and reactions from people across the globe.
The shocking satellite image is annotated with colored rings to show and compare the drastic difference in the size of the three regions.
“The yellow line is the SeaWorld Orlando car park. The redline is a lake for humans to go play on paddle boats. The blue line is where the Orcas spend their entire lives,” The Orca Project captioned as they posted the picture.
In addition to the post, The Orca Project commented to suggest people to watch a documentary named Blackfish.
Released in 2013, the documentary unveiled the heartless practices SeaWorld use while keeping animals under its authority.
“For everyone new to The Orca Project and the cause we are working for here – to get these magnificent orcas retired to a coastal sanctuary so they can live out their lives in their natural habitat – we want to thank you immensely for the outpouring of support,” The Orca Project commented.
“If you have not yet seen Blackfish, the critically acclaimed film that SeaWorld doesn’t want you to see, you can watch right now on Netflix.
“It truly only skims the surface of what goes on behind the walls of SeaWorld with their captives and their trainers.”
They added: “Tilikum has been the inspiration of our project over the past 9 1/2 years and is the lead character of the riveting documentary. He will forever be the game-changer. His story will move you in ways you never imagined.
“SeaWorld Orlando is where he lived as a mere shadow of the life he deserved and of his wild counterparts.
“If you are a little afraid to watch it because you think it’s too painful or difficult to see the reality of animal exploitation and abuse, you would be doing Tilikum and all of the other captives a disservice by not watching.
“Do it for him. Do it for all of the captives. It will change you.
“It is true that once you see it, you cannot unsee it. If you’ve already watched, watch it again as it will inspire you over and over again to speak up and fight like we do – for all captives.”
It has been reported by the animal rights campaigners that whales in captivity have smaller life spans as compared to those who get their natural habitat.
The death of Kayla, a female orca kept at SeaWorld Orlando, at the age of just 30 years validated the claim.
In a statement issued after the whale’s death in January this year, SeaWorld said: “The entire SeaWorld family is deeply saddened by the loss.
“While today is a difficult day for all of us at SeaWorld, Kayla inspired generations of guests and employees to care and learn more about this amazing species.”
Activists have long been expressing concerns about the animal exploitation and abuse observed in SeaWorld.
Just last month, tour operator Virgin Holidays announced they will not be offering packages to SeaWorld and other such sites where animals are mistreated.