SeaWorld has been reeling since CNN showed its influential (and controversial) documentary Blackfish. The company just reported that its income in the third-quarter dropped 28% from the previous year. In August, the announcement of second-quarter results from SeaWorld saw its stock price plunge 30% in a single day. The problem? Simple: attendance is down.
Blackfish was criticized for telling only the sensational part of the story of the whales–and ignoring SeaWorld’s “dedication to wildlife research, conservation, education and rescue of stranded marine mammals.” Ironically, financial trouble caused by concern for the whales could affect the resources available for these aspects of the business.
