Investigation into SeaWorld urged by animal right campaigners
Animal rights group Peta is urging federal officials to investigate SeaWorld Orlando after a vet said she observed violations of the animal welfare act on a recent visit.
Peta expert Heather Rally said that she saw dolphins with skin abnormalities, unsupervised contact between the public and dolphins and orcas with dental trauma and rake marks. She visited the Orlando park in June.
The group has asked the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to send inspectors to the park to investigate.
Peta has made similar requests about SeaWorld’s two other parks in San Antonio and San Diego.
SeaWorld veterinarian Lara Croft says the USDA finished an annual inspection of SeaWorld parks weeks ago and SeaWorld did very well.
Ms Croft says many of Peta’s observations are seen in animals in the wild too.
