Since my last update, Joel Manby has been replying to some of your emails with a form letter that cites the same editorial that he and Wayne Pacelle published in the Tampa Bay Times. We do believe that this petition has them concerned and the response is an attempt to pacify all who signed it by asking us to believe SeaWorld and HSUS are actually doing something when they’re not. SeaWorld has still not denounced IMATA. Manby has no plan to try and change IMATA’s policy of allowing members to buy Taiji dolphins, and we don’t expect he’ll insist on it or make a stand to apply more pressure. They’re hosting IMATA’s conference next month, and have been referred to as “best buddies.” Sarah Lucas of Australia for Dolphins in an opinion to the Tampa Bay Times was spot on: http://www.tampabay.com/opinion/letters/thursdays-letters-seaworld-implicated-in-dolphin-hunt/2296642?platform=hootsuite “What Manby failed to acknowledge is that SeaWorld is intrinsically linked to the Taiji hunts through its close connection with IMATA.” Our calls and emails have had great effect. Joel Manby has revised SeaWorld’s public stance on the Taiji drives. “Contrary to what you might hear from activists who want to mislead the public, SeaWorld is opposed to this horrific practice.” – Joel Manby, SeaWorld CEO. I find this comment offensive. Far from misleading the public, we see the connection clearly. You cannot partially condemn something and give IMATA a pass. This is why our supporters have grown to almost 155,000 individuals. People are angry that SeaWorld and HSUS consider the public unable to see through their smoke screen. As such, some are commenting that they're boycotting both organizations. Now is not the time to let up the pressure. If you haven’t written to SeaWorld’s CEO, please consider doing so. Here is a “form letter” that you may consider using in your response. Dear Mr. Manby, Thank you for your reply. Your article in the Tampa Bay Times failed to mention SeaWorld’s close relationship with IMATA, an organization that allows their members to buy blood dolphins in Taiji, Japan. I was also disconcerted to note the absence of any plan of action by you and Wayne Pacelle for ending the slaughter of 1000’s of dolphins each year. In fact, dolphin hunting was not even considered as part of your initiatives with HSUS. • Is there any plan to travel to Taiji with Mr. Pacelle to watch IMATA members negotiate prices for dolphins and to witness the horror that ensues afterward? • How will you and HSUS engage governments and advocacy groups prior to the Tokyo Olympics in 2020? • IMATA allows their trainers to shop for dolphins in the Taiji cove, and they work directly with those who brutally slaughter the remaining dolphins. How can you justify your silence over IMATA, when you, yourself, describe this as a “horrific practice?” • Many of your employees sit on the board of IMATA, and/or committees. Why not influence them to change their policy of allowing trainers to buy from drive fisheries.? Do you plan to condemn IMATA, or are you prepared to sever all ties with them? Your affiliation with IMATA is globally damaging SeaWorld’s reputation and nullifying your own company’s conservation message. These dolphin captures for marine parks and slaughters need to stop, and with the combined weight of your organization – along with HSUS, I am astounded that neither organization is prepared to do more than offer token words. Sincerely, [Your name] LET’S KEEP CALLING AND EMAILING! TARGET SEAWORLD’S INVESTORS! SeaWorld Public Relations – (407) 363-2280 Wayne Pacelle, Humane Society US – (301) 258-3185 Joel Manby - joel.manby@seaworld.com Bernie Unti, The Humane Society - bunti@humanesociety.org Leslie Porter - lporter@humanesociety.org Susan.Storey@SeaWorld.com SWF.CommunityAffairs@SeaWorld.com Aimee.Jeansonne-Becka@SeaWorld.com BlackstoneInvestorRelations@blackstone.com investors@seaworld.com Blackstone Senior VP U.S. Media - paula.chirhart@blackstone.com Blackstone, Director UK Media - andrew.dowler@blackstone.com swo.pr@seaworld.com Your continued support of this petition is proving to be very impactful! PLEASE PLEASE, stay with me! Continue to share everywhere! Social media is a very powerful tool to gather supporters, so please keep posting! Together, we can end this horror, but SeaWorld and the Humane Society HAS TO STEP UP NOW! Thank you so much! Ori