SeaWorld, Humane Society Push Obama To End Japanese Whaling

Follow CBSMIAMI.COM: Facebook | Twitter

ORLANDO (CBSMiami/AP) — SeaWorld and the Humane Society of the United States have requested for President Barack Obama to put pressure on Japan to end its commercial whaling activities.

SeaWorld CEO Joel Manby and Humane Society CEO Wayne Pacelle sent Obama a letter Thursday urging him to treat the end of commercial whaling as a much stronger priority for action within the context of America's diplomatic relationship with Japan.

The letter accuses Japan of flouting international law and world opinion. It also points out that the United States has the power to lead a comprehensive effort in ending the practice.

The partnership between SeaWorld and The Humane Society comes just weeks after the theme park company announced that it would no longer breed orcas in captivity and would soon stop making them perform.

(TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)