SeaWorld Admits to using Employees to spy on Animal Rights Groups

SeaWorld has admitted on Thursday to spying on animal rights group by having employees pose as activists. The Amusement Park chain added that the company's board has ordered an end to this practice.

News of spying surfaced last year when the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) accused SeaWorld's Paul McComb, who worked in human resources at the San Diego, California location, of pretending to be an animal rights activist in order to gather information for SeaWorld. McComb had infiltrated PETA as Thomas Jones.

At the time of the accusation, SeaWorld stated that it was "focused on the safety of our team members, guests and animals, and beyond that we do not comment on our security operations."

The case eventually led to a major shakeup in SeaWorld's executive and managerial ranks. Last week, the company announced that the chief parks operations officer, chief zoological officer and park director at the San Antonio, Texas location have all left their posts.

In regards to McComb, CEO Joel Manby said that he was transferred to another department. McComb recently returned to work after going on administrative leave.

"All personnel matters pertaining to those involved have been handled internally," Manby said. "We recognize the need to ensure that all of our security and other activities align with our core values and ethical standards. As always the security and well-being of our employees, customers and animals remains at the forefront of our business practices."

Upon hearing SeaWorld's confession, PETA had said in its statement, "SeaWorld's latest report confirms not only that the company has employed more than one spy to infiltrate and agitate at PETA but also that it values its spies more highly than the executives who have had their heads chopped off in droves, as at least one of the spies is still working at the company."