Written by PETA
Backing up claims made by Linda Simons, SeaWorld's former head of safety, Michelle Dillard, a former human resources director at SeaWorld, has come forward to report that the marine park attempted to block an investigation by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) into the death of Dawn Brancheau, who was killed by an orca named Tilikum in February. (OSHA found SeaWorld to be "willfully" at fault in connection with Brancheau's death and fined the park $75,000.)
"I personally witnessed [the SeaWorld Management team] outright lying to OSHA, using intentional delay tactics to stonewall the investigation and, behind closed doors, revealing an inflexible and obstinate refusal to be forthcoming and accommodating toward OSHA," wrote Dillard in a statement to OSHA that was obtained by The Huffington Post.
Dillard, who resigned in July because of what she says were unbearable working conditions, also alleged that her former boss, SeaWorld's vice president of human resources, "hid documents, pretended to not know that documents existed and obstructed OSHA's investigation." She says she came forward because of SeaWorld's retaliation against Simons, who was fired two months after the attack.
Dillard's allegations are a timely reminder to keep the pressure on SeaWorld to "retire" Tilikum and all the other dolphins at SeaWorld facilities to coastal sanctuaries.
Via The Huffington Post
Written by Alisa Mullins
I remember another concentration camp for marine animals in California. It was called "Marine Land." It closed many years ago, unfortunatly I do not know what became of the inmates, but it is still in operation...as a movie set. If you have seen Pirates of the Carribean, you have seen Marine Land...the main stage was the set of Commodore Norrington's promotion ceremony as well as Jack Sparrow's unsuccessful execution. Many other movies have been filmed there. My point is, Sea World's owners do not need to lose money if they close their parks. Turn them into movie sets and use the tanks, full or empty. The "drowning and freezing" cast members of the movie "Titanic" were coated with wax to simulate ice and placed in a tank of 80 degree water. I have no idea if it was at Marine Land but it may very well have been.
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