Taco Bell Severs Ties With SeaWorld Amid “Blackfish” Backlash
After animal advocates slammed the fast food chain Taco Bell for offering discounts on tickets to SeaWorld, a petition on Change.org calling for them to cut ties garnered over 20,000 signatures. Now, a spokesperson for Taco Bell told the creator of that petition, activist Laura Morse, that the companies' partnership will end in September.
"I have confirmed we have no future plans for promotions," a Taco Bell spokesman told Morse.
In a piece for The Dodo last April, Morse wrote about the importance of her cause:
With over 10,000 signatures on my Change.org petition called Why is Taco Bell Supporting SeaWorld Animal Abuse? it is evident that people care and are shifting their fast-food choices. Until Taco Bell severs ties with SeaWorld, I'm taking my fast-food business elsewhere and know many college students will be doing the same.
It's not perfect -- the deal, which is still currently in place, is valid through September because the materials have already been handed out to franchise locations.
Candace Crespi, campaign director for the Oceanic Preservation Society, told The Dodo:
Thank you to Taco Bell for listening to their concerned customers and putting a stop to their SeaWorld promotions. We applaud your efforts, and look forward to once again visiting your restaurants and enjoying our favorite vegan cinnamon twists!
Rob Poetsch, a spokesperson for Taco Bell, told The Dodo in an email:
This was a limited-time, regional promotion that was over in April. The offer remains valid through September 1, 2014 and therefore the site will remain active online until that date. We don't have any future plans for promotions.
SeaWorld and marine parks profit off keeping orcas and other marine animals in captivity -- despite evidence that captivity not only induces unnatural behaviors in whales, but also endangers trainers. Join us in pledging never to visit SeaWorld or other marine parks until they empty their orca tanks.