PETA claims victory after SeaWorld says no to trainers riding atop dolphins | Lori Weisberg

<p>SeaWorld Entertainment says it is ending the longstanding practice of trainers riding astride dolphins in marine park shows, a move that comes nearly a year after animal-rights activists began pressuring the company to ban such “circus-style” behaviors.<br /> The decision to move away from such showy theatrics in the dolphin shows was disclosed in a letter sent earlier this month by a SeaWorld attorney to the Securities and Exchange Commission. The letter was addressing a shareholder proposal made last December by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, which asked that SeaWorld prohibit trainers from riding on dolphins’ backs and standing on their faces.<br /> As of last December, PETA held 163 shares of SeaWorld stock and has owned at least $2,000 worth of common stock for some time.</p>