A California bill that sought to end killer whale shows at SeaWorld in San Diego and phase out keeping them in captivity has been put on hold, meaning it's dead for the year.
The bill's author, Democrat Richard Bloom of Santa Monica, agreed on Tuesday during the first committee hearing for the bill to revisit his proposal after further study.
He says lawmakers weren't ready to vote and that the discussion to date has been fueled by fear and misinformation.
Animal rights activists say captivity in small tanks for such large mammals can be extremely stressful – and may have led to captive whales killing four people and injuring dozens.
Sea World argues that the animals are healthy, excite the public’s interest in the natural world and provide scientists with unique access.
Bloom was inspired by the documentary "Blackfish."
Dozens of animal rights activists packed the hearing room to support the bill, which will not be taken up again until sometime next year.
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