The Sea World group of three marine parks responds to negative attention focused on a main attraction – black-and-white killer whales performing stunts for visitors. The current 29 whales on display will be the last generation of orcas at the wildlife parks in Orlando, San Diego and San Antonio. Sea World, which stopped capturing wild whales more than 30 years ago, now will stop breeding the magnificent, intelligent creatures to phase out their display. In the meantime, rather than having them leap and twist in response to trainers' signals, it will present a "more naturalistic show and environment for our orcas," says Joel Manby, president and chief executive. "And we're going to teach all of our customers about the plight of them in the wild."

The theme park company, based in Orlando, Fla., also will partner with the Human Society of the United States – a former critic -- and commit $50 million for the next five years to help animals in the wild. The actions come after years of controversy as People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and other animal rights activists complained about treatment of Sea World orcas. A 2013 documentary "Blackfish," suggested whale abuse and neglect. SeaWorld's stock market price and park attendance dropped sharply after that film's release.

Releasing its orcas into the ocean, Sea World says, would endanger their survival because they've never had to feed themselves or interact with wild whales. Company critics include two Democratic congressmen from California who last year introduced a U.S. House bill to phase out the captivity of killer whales. "For far too long, these intelligent mammals have been subjected to the heart-wrenching practice of being kept captive in cruelly small tanks solely for public entertainment," says Rep. Jared Huffman. "After years of public outcry and many letters, meetings, amendments, and even legislation, I am thrilled to see the wave of opposition build to where SeaWorld finally has done the right thing and ended their captive breeding program of orcas."

Sea World says: "We are going to end our orca breeding. . . . That's a very difficult decision for us, but we feel it's the right one for the future of the organization." -- Joel Manby, president and chief executive

Humane Society says: "We're excited about the idea that SeaWorld is going to do more rescue and rehabilitation. Together we're going to be advocates to fight commercial sealing, commercial whaling." -- Wayne Pacelle, president and chief executive

Journalist says: "SeaWorld is ending its orca program because it has to. In the past three years, the park has seen shrinking crowds, plummeting profits, and lawsuits leveled against their business practices."– Rachel Gross, Slate.com