Orca shows face ban at SeaWorld

Since the release of a highly-critical documentary last year, SeaWorld Entertainment has been condemned by animal rights activists distressed over the condition of its killer whales. But annual survival rates for some of the most common marine mammals — including killer whales — at SeaWorld's three parks are near the top of all U.S. parks and aquariums, an analysis of five decades of federal data by The Associated Press showed.

While the survival rates have steadily improved over the past five decades, they don't speak to the quality of life that whales, dolphins and sea lions have at SeaWorld parks. Critics say keeping intelligent marine mammals in captivity is inhumane and detrimental to their well-being. (AP)

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