Few issues have stirred as much debate in the theme park world as captive killer whales — but now, a new question is making waves: what comes next when the orcas are gone?To rewind for a second, SeaWorld has kept orcas in captivity at its theme parks in Florida, Southern California, and Texas (and, previously, Ohio) for decades. While there was a time when SeaWorld trainers performed alongside the marine mammals in their tanks, this tradition came to an end in the wake of SeaWorld trainer Dawn Brancheau’s death in 2010.Credit: SeaWorldAs covered in the documentary Blackfish (2013), Brancheau had spent years as a poster girl for the Florida theme park’s orca shows and was a senior trainer. In February 2010, however, she was working a “Dine with Shamu” show with Tilikum – a killer whale previously involved in two other human fatalities, and the largest orca at the park until his death in 2017 – and was lying next to the whale when he pulled her into the water by either her arm or her hair. Brancheau ultimately died from drowning and blunt force trauma.Combined with the other details covered in the documentary, such as the impact living in captivity has on killer whales and SeaWorld’s claims that the lifespans of orcas in captivity are comparable to those in the wild, SeaWorld faced heavy backlash that ultimately led to the end of its orca breeding program in 2016. In recent years, it has switched its focus from marine creatures in general, instead pouring more money into thrill rides and repositioning attractions as the focus of its parks.Some also feel like SeaWorld has started keeping its orcas more under wraps, with the whales on public display far less frequently than in the past.Credit: SeaWorldFor many guests, it’s the orcas — rarely seen at other theme parks — that remain SeaWorld’s biggest draw. But with the current generation set to be the last, a new question is emerging: what happens when they’re gone, and what will SeaWorld offer in their place?What Will Replace SeaWorld’s Orcas?As proven by the death of Kamea – an 11-year-old female orca born into captivity at SeaWorld San Antonio – in June, the number of orcas is steadily dwindling across the company’s theme parks. Orcas have a predicted lifespan of 50 to 90 years, with Kamea previously the youngest found at any SeaWorld theme park. (Notably, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi does not have orcas.)The youngest orca at SeaWorld Orlando is currently Makaio. At 14 years old, Makaio could, theoretically, continue to flourish at SeaWorld through the end of this century. More realistically, captive orcas typically live for around 20 to 30 years. The oldest killer whale in captivity is Corky, who is estimated to be around 60 years old and has lived at SeaWorld San Diego since 1987.Fans have taken to Reddit to debate what SeaWorld will introduce in their place when it loses its remaining orcas. Many have assumed that SeaWorld will switch its focus to another resident of its theme parks: dolphins.Credit: Darren Tolley, Unsplash“[They will] use the bigger space to make a bigger habitat for the Dolphins,” theorized one Reddit user. “Then use the now vacated space by the Dolphins to expand their SeaWorld Rescue since the Rescue Center is nearby.”While using dolphins for entertainment has historically proven slightly less controversial than orcas (although orcas are, technically, dolphins), the topic is still extremely divisive. Walt Disney World Resort previously came under heat for its use of orcas at EPCOT, while 2025 has seen multiple attacks on The Dolphin Company – which is currently battling through bankruptcy – for the treatment and living conditions of its dolphins at facilities such as Gulf World Marine Park and Miami Seaquarium.Even if it isn’t dolphins, fans have shared hopes that SeaWorld parks will use the extra space currently occupied by orcas to expand their animal facilities and continue their rescue and conservation efforts. “It would ideally be something like expanding and bettering the space for the animals,” said one Reddit user.Credit: UnsplashWhale sharks are another popular choice for some SeaWorld fans. However, this seems unrealistic for many reasons. “It is illegal to capture whale sharks in U.S. waters,” a Reddit user explained. “Additionally, the species is listed under CITIES, an international body that protects endangered and threatened species. Taiwan has historically sold individuals to aquariums – such as Georgia Aquarium, but that has since ended. As others have stated, while deep and large, the orca tanks would need some major retrofitting for whale sharks.”Fans have also admitted that adding more animals to SeaWorld isn’t necessarily a given.“Knowing the direction this company has taken the last decade or so, the answer is more than likely rides,” one user wrote.Rides, Rides, RidesUltimately, many fans feel like it’s inevitable that SeaWorld will continue to double down on its growing collection of attractions instead of focusing on its USP. In the past five years alone, SeaWorld has opened Ice Breaker, Penguin Trek, Pipeline: The Surf Coaster, and Expedition Odyssey at SeaWorld Orlando, Arctic Rescue and Emperor at SeaWorld San Diego, and Texas Stingray, Catapult Falls, Beach Rescue Racer, Ocean Quest Express, and Seabird Swing at SeaWorld San Antonio.This focus has generated complaints from some guests, with several also generally complaining about a decline in quality across the food and operational standards offered at SeaWorld parks in recent years.Credit: SeaWorld“More space for a new roller coaster or two, as an enthusiast I’d like to see that,” said one Reddit user when asked what they’d like to see replace SeaWorld’s orcas. “Build the Shamu themed giga coaster. But at the same time I’d be a little sad as not just orcas, but other animals begin to get phased out and SeaWorld loses what made it SeaWorld in the first place and it basically becomes a Six Flags with aquariums.”Alternatively, there is one more creative solution, as posed by one Reddit user: “The only true answer is go Jurassic Park and bring back [the] plesiosaur.”What do you think should replace SeaWorld’s killer whales?The post Replacement for SeaWorld’s Controversial Killer Whales Now Under Debate appeared first on Inside the Magic.