PETA

Announcement seen as 'a sign that any industry—including farms, labs, and circuses—that commits violence against animals is destined to fail'

After years of pressure and protest from animal rights advocates, SeaWorld will make its current population of whales the 'last generation' in captivity

Admission by CEO follows 2015 claim made by PETA

Rights advocates say the new law 'is one of the most appalling overt attempts to silence whistleblowers' to date

Animal rights activists say move is motivated by mounting protests as well as tanking profits

State laws place citizen scientists and advocacy groups 'in jeopardy for acting to protect public health, the environment, and animal welfare'

"People don't want to watch abused animals being forced to perform pointless circus tricks," says animal rights group