We haven't been to SeaWorld in over a year, and we decided to check back on Katina's dorsal fin after it was damaged last year. Her fin has completely healed, although it will be permanently disfigured. (Photo by Heather Murphy/Ocean Advocate News) It was shocking to see Trua's dorsal fin today. In the past year, it has completely collapsed! He's only 13 years old. (Photo by Heather Murphy/Ocean Advocate News) In the documentary Long Gone Wild, a new set was shown an for t

After hearing about Katina's dorsal fin damage, we wanted to find out how bad it was. It was shocking to see the gaping vertical gouge in the back. I can't imagine how painful that must be for her. Of course she wasn't used in the show. SeaWorld doesn't want to have to answer to what happened. At this point, they are not saying anything. Photo by Heather Murphy/Ocean Advocate News Photo by Heather Murphy/Ocean Advocate News Photo by Heather Murphy/Ocean Advocate News Phot

Tilikum’s story has hit a nerve with people of all walks of life, all generations, all over the world. He was the prime example of what is wrong with orcas in captivity. It is difficult to put Tilikum’s death into words. I have spent a lot of time staring at the news on my screen, almost in disbelief. I grieve knowing we couldn’t do more to help him, yet I celebrate that his suffering is finally over. Click on image to play Tilikum's Last Splash - A Tribute Video and Image

After hearing the news of Tilikum’s illness this morning, Ocean Advocate News felt obligated to go see him, possibly for the last time, and say goodbye. On a Tuesday, the park was slow and eerily quiet. Arriving at the Dine with Shamu pool's underwater viewing, there was no sign of Tilikum which was to be expected. If he is as sick as reported, the park will keep him out of public view. In that case, the only way to see him is to hope to sneak a peak of his curved dorsal f

The numbers don't lie. SeaWorld's 2nd quarter earnings reported "an attendance decline due to the timing of Easter, record levels of rainfall in Texas and continued brand challenges in California, partially offset by improvements in demand at the Company's other park locations, including Florida." Those “brand challenges” could include the fact that just last week California Coastal Commission has stalled the vote which would allow SeaWorld to build bigger tanks in their pro