Whether WestJet truly cares about whales or is just concerned about protecting its bottom line is unclear, but one thing is certain: The Canadian airline has dropped its support for SeaWorld.
SeaWorld has long been under fire for its poor treatment of sea mammals. PETA has led an effort to boycott the theme park chain for years, including a public plea to WestJet that included more than 160,000 urging the company to drown its partnership with the embattled animal prison.
“WestJet has made the decision to end our promotional support of SeaWorld,” a company spokesperson said.
Before the announcement, WestJet would offer its customers promotional packages that included tickets to SeaWorld. As of writing, all traces of SeaWorld have been removed from WestJet’s website and other commercial materials.
WestJet is the fourth major airline to drop SeaWorld, following JetBlue, Southwest Airlines, and Thomas Cook. Other corporations who’ve ended their affiliation with SeaWorld include Hyundai, Panama Jack, and Taco Bell (PETA’s beef with the latter has also spurred a vegan renaissance at the chain).
“No compassionate company today is willing to associate itself with SeaWorld’s orca prisons,” said PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. “PETA is calling on kind consumers to stay away from SeaWorld and choose to do business with travel providers such as WestJet that have pledged to do the same.” PETA estimates that at least 40 orcas, 300 dolphins and whales, and 450 seals, sea lions, and walruses have died at SeaWorld Parks since 1971.
As a thank you, PETA sent WestJet a box of whale-shaped vegan chocolates.