Video shows orca appearing to attack another killer whale at SeaWorld, prompting PETA complaint to USDA

• Eyewitness footage shows an orca attacked by another killer whale at SeaWorld.
• Following the release of the footage, PETA called on the USDA to investigate SeaWorld.
• SeaWorld described the behavior as normal, adding that it was "rake marking."

Eyewitness footage from a SeaWorld visitor shows an orca violently attacking another killer whale on August 5, prompting PETA to file a complaint with the US Department of Agriculture.

The person who recorded the footage told PETA that everyone "immediately saw blood soaking the water" at the amusement park in San Diego, California, causing their nine-year-old to start crying.

The eyewitness also said that people could see bite marks and wounds over one side of the hurt orca. "Every couple seconds two more orcas would jump out of the water to continue attacking the hurt orca," the eyewitness said, per a PETA press release.

—Joshua Zitser (@mrjoshz) August 19, 2022

 

In the video, which PETA shared with Insider, an orca can be seen attempting to beach itself to get away from its attacker. A child can be heard saying: "How is it still alive? I thought they hug each other, not fight each other."

Following the release of the footage, PETA filed a complaint with the USDA. The complaint calls on the USDA to investigate SeaWorld, citing concerns regarding animal welfare. It asks the agency to "ensure that all animals at SeaWorld are being provided with adequate veterinary care, space, shelter, food, and water," and are handled in accordance with the Animal Welfare Act.

PETA said in a statement that it was a warning to families to stay away from any park that "imprisons orcas or other animals."

SeaWorld did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment, but according to the local media outlet KPBS, the company said PETA's attack was "misleading."

KPBS reported that SeaWorld described the behavior as normal, adding that it was "rake marking" — when killer whales run their teeth over each other's skin.

SeaWorld's treatment of killer whales in captivity drew attention following the release of the 2013 documentary film "Blackfish."