A new series of opposition has cropped up with the sea lion population at the La Jolla Cove. Residents have complained about the stench that the animals droppings cause and have taken legal action to relocate the animals. The citizens of La Jolla and businesses lost the first round of the case when the judges announced that the city was not responsible to clean up smelly debris. There will however be another appeal to remedy the situation as this decision will have serious impact on tourism.
The local seals have taken over a dedicated family beach and a children swimming pool below Casa de Manana. This area has been restricted to humans now so that no disturbance is caused to the marine creatures. However people in large majority enjoy gazing at the animals from a distance.
The beach was dedicated to Children by Ellen Browning Scripps who, in the early 20th century, underwrote construction of the sea wall.
Some citizen groups are proposing to hire Precision Behavior experts, to correct the behavior of the sea lions but the People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), have come on strongly against this suggestion and is trying to defeat any interference with the sea lions’ natural behavior.
La Jolla Cove was earlier plagued by foul smell of bird droppings before 2014. Tourism also fell in this area as people were repulsed by the stench and hardly anyone dared to visit this area. But a team was sent and they cleared up the debris. But after that came the sea lions causing the same hazard.
Citizens for Odor Nuisance Abatement have proposed to teach the sea lions some behavioral habits that would make La Jolla Cove more tolerable to tourists and residents. But, it hasn’t been decided yet as to who would be paying for the training.
The PETA people are strongly opposing this decision and now the city has to decide whether the coast line is for the sea animals or the city people.
The controversy with the SeaWorld orca whale continues. PETA’s documentary film Blacklfsh has caused quite a reaction and public attendance has already fallen by 7 per cent according to company’s reports. The state is shelving proposals to stop the popular Shamu show, the market value of the show has fallen by 33 per cent in this year after the documentary was broadcasted. There has been consistent opposition on wild animals being used for entertainment and improving the captive space for the performing orca whales has failed to get public approval.
The entertainment brand SeaWorld has changed its view and now addresses itself as the protector of animal life. But this would still leave the PETA people unimpressed as they want the animals to be given equal right as human beings.
This controversy over the SeaWorld and the San Diego Zoo will continue to have an adverse effect on tourism and will directly affect the economy.
Experts feel that if the PETA wishes to launch a campaign for the protection of animals they should also bar people from keeping pets, race horses and also close down zoos.
