A futuristic spaceship-themed amusement park, Chimelong Theme Park in Zhuhai, China, has ignited outrage following its recent opening, featuring a tank of killer whales.
Chimelong Theme Park, which has softly launched to the amazement of theme park enthusiasts, offers numerous record-breaking attractions. As the world’s largest indoor theme park, it boasts the world’s most extensive wave pool, leaving visitors in awe of its giant UFO-like appearance.
Unlike a sci-fi fan’s dream destination, Chimelong focuses on celebrating the wonders of the sea and its inhabitants. Visitors are treated to the sight of over 150,000 marine creatures from more than 400 species.
However, it’s the inclusion of one particular species that has raised the ire of animal rights activists, particularly PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals). The park features nine killer whales, confined to a 12.4 million-gallon main tank, where they perform shows. According to PETA Asia’s Vice President, Jason Baker, these orcas were captured from the ocean as juveniles and are now forced to live in what he deems a subpar facility.
Jason Baker expressed concern over the orcas’ living conditions. In their natural habitat, these animals travel vast distances daily with their families, experiencing ocean currents and engaging in vital familial activities like raising and educating their young. However, captivity for entertainment purposes deprives them of fulfilling these basic needs.
Within the spaceship-themed park, visitors encounter the orcas in the appropriately named ‘Whale Universe,’ just one of 15 themed sections. For thrill-seekers, a massive motion simulator known as ‘Bermuda Storm’ offers the experience of being in the midst of a tempest, minus the perilous aspects.
The decision to introduce a new aquarium featuring giant predators from the wild has stirred controversy, given that years of activism led global giant SeaWorld to cease its orca captivity practices. The latest SeaWorld location, launched earlier this year in Abu Dhabi, does not house orcas.
Critics argue that Chimelong Theme Park’s inclusion of captive orcas contradicts the evolving ethical standards of wildlife preservation. While the park showcases futuristic wonders, the debate rages on regarding the rights and well-being of Earth’s powerful marine predators.
