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Travel giant Thomas Cook is being urged to sever its relationship with SeaWorld after the controversial theme park failed an animal welfare check.
The tour operator – Britain’s biggest – undertook an audit of SeaWorld’s flagship Orlando location, based on animal welfare rules defined by the Association Of British Travel Agents [ABTA].
The audit ordered by Thomas Cook – which sells more than 10,000 day trips a year to the attraction – highlighted concerns, the details of which have not been released.
Promoting
Thomas Cook, which stopped promoting SeaWorld its website as a result of the audit and pressure from welfare campaigners, has given park bosses three months to improve.
A Thomas Cook spokesperson told Sun Online Travel: “We have now audited SeaWorld, and we are in contact with them about the results in accordance with our policy.”
A SeaWorld spokesperon said: “While the physical audits of the parks are complete, the process is still ongoing. We provide world-class care to the animals in our parks.”
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No humane way
But animal campaigners are calling for Thomas Cook to sever ties with SeaWorld straight away.
A spokesperson for animal rights charity PETA said: “There’s no humane way to keep these highly intelligent animals in captivity, let alone force them to perform cruel tricks for food.
“Given that SeaWorld has now failed its own audit, Thomas Cook must end the financial lifeline it gives the park and stop selling tickets immediately.”
