New York Hotspot Cancels SeaWorld 50th Anniversary Party

Sure, penguins are naturally dressed for a party, but to them, a “party” is doing tummy slides across the ice and swimming really fast in really cold water—not being loaded up in a truck and deposited at a noisy restaurant to serve as living party decorations. The latter is what SeaWorld had in mind—until PETA got wind of it, that is.

After being bombarded with e-mails and phone calls from PETA supporters, New York restaurant Bagatelle canceled a 50th anniversary party planned by SeaWorld that was supposed to have taken place at the restaurant this evening. After learning from PETA about SeaWorld’s routine exploitation of animals—which was movingly documented by the blockbuster documentary Blackfish—Bagatelle’s owners did “what was right in our hearts” and figuratively told SeaWorld to go jump in an Antarctic lake.

As PETA pointed out in our e-mails to Bagatelle, SeaWorld’s planned event would have caused penguins tremendous stress both during transport to the venue and while surrounded by loud music and noisy party guests. The event would have also promoted SeaWorld’s abuse of orcas, whom it locks up in glorified bathtubs, where they understandably are frustrated by the constant deprivation and confinement.

PETA is hanging up our protest placards and popping the champagne corks today in recognition of Bagatelle’s savvy business decision to put kindness ahead of profits.

What You Can Do

Bagatelle has done the right thing and cut ties with SeaWorld. Now tell Southwest Airlines to make the same compassionate decision and end its partnership with the “abusement” park.