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SeaWorld says it won’t take beluga whales captured in Russia

  • Opening day at the new Grand Reef attraction at SeaWorld...

    Dewayne Bevil, Orlando Sentinel

    Opening day at the new Grand Reef attraction at SeaWorld Orlando's Discovery Cove.

  • Two sea lions lean over for a look at Pacific...

    MATTHEW ANDREWS/SPECIAL TO THE SENTINEL

    Two sea lions lean over for a look at Pacific Point Preserve.

  • Opening day at the new Grand Reef attraction at SeaWorld...

    Dewayne Bevil, Orlando Sentinel

    Opening day at the new Grand Reef attraction at SeaWorld Orlando's Discovery Cove.

  • Guests cheer as dolphins jump in unison during the Blue...

    Joe Burbank, Orlando Sentinel

    Guests cheer as dolphins jump in unison during the Blue Horizon show --featuring the dolphins, birds and acrobats, at SeaWorld Orlando, Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009. The Blackstone Group, a private equity firm, is rumored to be close to a deal to buy Busch Entertainment Corp., including all of its SeaWorld theme parks, from Anheuser-Busch InBev.

  • Jim Hackworth is one of three men who portray "scurvy...

    DEWAYNE BEVIL/ORLANDO SENTINEL

    Jim Hackworth is one of three men who portray "scurvy pirate mimes" before the "Clyde and Seamore Take Pirate Island" show at SeaWorld. Hackworth has worked at the theme park for 26 years.

  • Preview of the new Grand Reef at Discovery Cove, on...

    Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda, Orlando Sentinel

    Preview of the new Grand Reef at Discovery Cove, on Friday, June 3, 2011.

  • Loggerhead Lane floats guests down a lazy river past exotic...

    Julie Fletcher, Orlando Sentinel

    Loggerhead Lane floats guests down a lazy river past exotic birds and exotic fish of SeaWorld's water park, Aquatica.

  • Miami Dolphins cheerleader Rosamary is filmed with a bird during...

    STEPHEN M. DOWELL, ORLANDO SENTINEL

    Miami Dolphins cheerleader Rosamary is filmed with a bird during the Miami Dolphins calendar shoot at Discovery Cove in Orlando on Wednesday, May 21, 2008.

  • No. 40 on Dewayne Bevil's Top 50 Orlando Theme Park...

    HILDA M PEREZ, ORLANDO SENTINEL

    No. 40 on Dewayne Bevil's Top 50 Orlando Theme Park Attractions. Shark Encounter, SeaWorld Orlando. Exhibit pulls guests through a tube running beneath the predators.

  • Shamu takes a peek.

    FRANK RIVERA/ORLANDO SENTINEL

    Shamu takes a peek.

  • The afternoon sun silhouettes guests as they ride on the...

    Joe Burbank, Orlando Sentinel

    The afternoon sun silhouettes guests as they ride on the Kraken at SeaWorld Orlando.

  • Guests cheer as dolphins jump in unison during the Blue...

    Joe Burbank, Orlando Sentinel

    Guests cheer as dolphins jump in unison during the Blue Horizon show --featuring the dolphins, birds and acrobats, at SeaWorld Orlando, Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009. The Blackstone Group, a private equity firm, is rumored to be close to a deal to buy Busch Entertainment Corp., including all of its SeaWorld theme parks, from Anheuser-Busch InBev.

  • No. 50 on Dewayne Bevil's Top 50 Orlando Theme Park...

    JOE BURBANK, ORLANDO SENTINEL

    No. 50 on Dewayne Bevil's Top 50 Orlando Theme Park Attractions. Penguin Encounter, SeaWorld Orlando. Tuxedoed creatures swim, stare back at you. Check out the puffins there also.

  • Guests cheer as dolphins jump in unison during the Blue...

    Joe Burbank, Orlando Sentinel

    Guests cheer as dolphins jump in unison during the Blue Horizon show --featuring the dolphins, birds and acrobats, at SeaWorld Orlando, Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009. The Blackstone Group, a private equity firm, is rumored to be close to a deal to buy Busch Entertainment Corp., including all of its SeaWorld theme parks, from Anheuser-Busch InBev.

  • Santa Claus greets a guest at Santa Town during the...

    JOE BURBANK, ORLANDO SENTINEL

    Santa Claus greets a guest at Santa Town during the official opening of SeaWorld Orlando's new Polar Express Experience.

  • Manta reaches 56 mph and seats its riders face down.

    JOE BURBANK/ORLANDO SENTINEL

    Manta reaches 56 mph and seats its riders face down.

  • Miami Dolphins cheerleader Crystal is filmed with a bird during...

    STEPHEN M. DOWELL, ORLANDO SENTINEL

    Miami Dolphins cheerleader Crystal is filmed with a bird during the Miami Dolphins calendar shoot at Discovery Cove in Orlando on Wednesday, May 21, 2008.

  • SeaWorld joined the Central Florida park fireworks game with ?Mistify?...

    JESSICA MANN/ORLANDO SENTINEL

    SeaWorld joined the Central Florida park fireworks game with ?Mistify? in 2004. In this shot, dolphins are projected onto a water screen in the middle of the show while fireworks explode above. Besides elaborate fireworks, it also incorporates the use of a water screen which has dolphins, whales and other sea creatures projected onto it.

  • Guests ride the Manta roller coaster at SeaWorld Orlando, Tuesday,...

    Joe Burbank, Orlando Sentinel

    Guests ride the Manta roller coaster at SeaWorld Orlando, Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009. The Blackstone Group, a private equity firm, is rumored to be close to a deal to buy Busch Entertainment Corp., including all of its SeaWorld theme parks, from Anheuser-Busch InBev.

  • Guests cheer as dolphins jump in unison Tuesday during the...

    Joe Burbank, Orlando Sentinel

    Guests cheer as dolphins jump in unison Tuesday during the Blue Horizon show featuring dolphins, birds and acrobats at SeaWorld Orlando. The Blackstone Group, a private-equity firm, reached a deal to buy Busch Entertainment Corp., including all of its SeaWorld theme parks, from Anheuser-Busch InBev.

  • Visitors enter the Polar Express Experience at SeaWorld on Friday.

    George Skene, Orlando Sentinel

    Visitors enter the Polar Express Experience at SeaWorld on Friday.

  • SeaWorld visitors walk near the Polar Express Experience on Friday.

    George Skene, Orlando Sentinel

    SeaWorld visitors walk near the Polar Express Experience on Friday.

  • Students from Windermere Preparatory School watch a preshow film before...

    JOE BURBANK, ORLANDO SENTINEL

    Students from Windermere Preparatory School watch a preshow film before boarding the Polar Express Experience at SeaWorld.

  • Guests come in for a landing after riding Manta during...

    Joe Burbank, Orlando Sentinel

    Guests come in for a landing after riding Manta during the first public sneak preview of the flying coaster, at SeaWorld Orlando, Tuesday, May 5, 2009.

  • Kraken takes a dip at SeaWorld Adventure Park.

    JOHN RAOUX/ORLANDO SENTINEL

    Kraken takes a dip at SeaWorld Adventure Park.

  • Joe Burbank, Orlando Sentinel

  • A shark passes by the cage used in the Sharks...

    JOE BURBANK, ORLANDO SENTINEL

    A shark passes by the cage used in the Sharks Deep Dive experience at SeaWorld's Shark Encounter attraction on Oct. 2, 2002.

  • Miami Dolphins cheerleader Crystal is filmed with a colorful bird...

    STEPHEN M. DOWELL, ORLANDO SENTINEL

    Miami Dolphins cheerleader Crystal is filmed with a colorful bird during the Miami Dolphins calendar shoot at Discovery Cove in Orlando on Wednesday, May 21, 2008.

  • The lighthouse at the entrance to SeaWorld Orlando, Tuesday, Oct....

    Joe Burbank, Orlando Sentinel

    The lighthouse at the entrance to SeaWorld Orlando, Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009. The Blackstone Group, a private equity firm, is rumored to be close to a deal to buy Busch Entertainment Corp., including all of its SeaWorld theme parks, from Anheuser-Busch InBev.

  • Students from Windermere Preparatory School line up during the official...

    JOE BURBANK, ORLANDO SENTINEL

    Students from Windermere Preparatory School line up during the official opening of SeaWorld Orlando's Polar Express Experience.

  • Guests ride the Manta roller coaster at SeaWorld Orlando, Tuesday,...

    Joe Burbank, Orlando Sentinel

    Guests ride the Manta roller coaster at SeaWorld Orlando, Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009. The Blackstone Group, a private equity firm, is rumored to be close to a deal to buy Busch Entertainment Corp., including all of its SeaWorld theme parks, from Anheuser-Busch InBev.

  • No. 21 on Dewayne Bevil's Top 50 Orlando Theme Park...

    JOE BURBANK, ORLANDO SENTINEL

    No. 21 on Dewayne Bevil's Top 50 Orlando Theme Park Attractions. Journey to Atlantis, SeaWorld Orlando. It's a water ride! It's a coaster! No, now it's a water ride! It's really both -- tricky. (Also: Note the post-ride aquarium area of gift shop).

  • Joe Burbank, Orlando Sentinel

  • Miami Dolphins cheerleader Rosamary is filmed with a dolphin during...

    STEPHEN M. DOWELL, ORLANDO SENTINEL

    Miami Dolphins cheerleader Rosamary is filmed with a dolphin during the Miami Dolphins calendar shoot at Discovery Cove in Orlando on Wednesday, May 21, 2008.

  • No. 23 on Dewayne Bevil's Top 50 Orlando Theme Park...

    BOBBY COKER, ORLANDO SENTINEL

    No. 23 on Dewayne Bevil's Top 50 Orlando Theme Park Attractions. Blue Horizons, SeaWorld Orlando. Acrobatic dolphins and divers share the watery stage -- plus birds for good measure.

  • Joe Burbank, Orlando Sentinel

  • Guests thrill while riding Manta during the first public sneak...

    JOE BURBANK, ORLANDO SENTINEL

    Guests thrill while riding Manta during the first public sneak preview of the flying coaster, at SeaWorld Orlando, Tuesday, May 5, 2009. The coaster features horizontal, face-down seating and reaches speeds of 56 mph from a height of 140 feet.

  • Guests are inverted in a loop on Kraken, the extreme...

    Joe Burbank, Orlando Sentinel

    Guests are inverted in a loop on Kraken, the extreme roller coaster at SeaWorld Orlando.

  • Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda, Orlando Sentinel

  • Miami Dolphins cheerleader LaTasha is filmed with a dolphin during...

    STEPHEN M. DOWELL, ORLANDO SENTINEL

    Miami Dolphins cheerleader LaTasha is filmed with a dolphin during the Miami Dolphins calendar shoot at Discovery Cove in Orlando on Wednesday, May 21, 2008.

  • Shamu gets some air time.

    MATTHEW ANDREWS/SPECIAL TO THE SENTINEL

    Shamu gets some air time.

  • Miami Dolphins cheerleader LaTasha is filmed with a dolphin during...

    STEPHEN M. DOWELL, ORLANDO SENTINEL

    Miami Dolphins cheerleader LaTasha is filmed with a dolphin during the Miami Dolphins calendar shoot at Discovery Cove in Orlando on Wednesday, May 21, 2008.

  • Guests arrive at SeaWorld Orlando at the main entrance on...

    Joe Burbank, Orlando Sentinel

    Guests arrive at SeaWorld Orlando at the main entrance on Central Florida Parkway, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009. The landscaping on the entrance includes the Anheiser-Busch/InBev logo (far right).

  • Students from Windermere Preparatory School stand in fake snow during...

    Joe Burbank, Orlando Sentinel

    Students from Windermere Preparatory School stand in fake snow during the official opening of SeaWorld Orlando's Polar Express Experience.

  • A 30-foot icy archway will greet visitors to Antarctica when...

    Dewayne Bevil, Orlando Sentinel

    A 30-foot icy archway will greet visitors to Antarctica when it opens May 24, 2013.

  • A conductor greets guests inside the Polar Express Experience at...

    George Skene, Orlando Sentinel

    A conductor greets guests inside the Polar Express Experience at SeaWorld.

  • As riders complete a loop of the Kraken roller coaster...

    Dewayne Bevil / Orlando Sentinel

    As riders complete a loop of the Kraken roller coaster (left), work continues on SeaWorld Orlando's next thrill ride, Mako. It is scheduled to open summer 2016.

  • SeaWorld's water park, Aquatica's Whanau Way 5-story slide, 340 feet...

    Julie Fletcher, Orlando Sentinel

    SeaWorld's water park, Aquatica's Whanau Way 5-story slide, 340 feet of slide splashing into a crystal blue pool.

  • Students from Windermere Preparatory School study polar bears in their...

    JOE BURBANK, ORLANDO SENTINEL

    Students from Windermere Preparatory School study polar bears in their habitat during the official opening of SeaWorld Orlando's Polar Express Experience.

  • Reach for it at Key West of SeaWorld.

    JOE BURBANK/ORLANDO SENTINEL

    Reach for it at Key West of SeaWorld.

  • Sea World joined the Central Florida park fireworks game with...

    SENTINEL FILE

    Sea World joined the Central Florida park fireworks game with ?Mistify? in 2004.

  • Miami Dolphins cheerleaders Genesis (clockwise from lower left), Missy, Kayla...

    Stephen M. Dowell, Orlando Sentinel

    Miami Dolphins cheerleaders Genesis (clockwise from lower left), Missy, Kayla and Fabiola pose during a calendar photo shoot at SeaWorld's Discovery Cove.

  • Ana Carolina Borba holds her daughter Maria Claira Borba (6)...

    Jacob Langston, Orlando Sentinel

    Ana Carolina Borba holds her daughter Maria Claira Borba (6) as she kisses a dolphin at Discovery Cove on June 18, 2010.

  • Guests cheer as dolphins jump in unison during the Blue...

    Joe Burbank, Orlando Sentinel

    Guests cheer as dolphins jump in unison during the Blue Horizon show --featuring the dolphins, birds and acrobats, at SeaWorld Orlando, Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009. The Blackstone Group, a private equity firm, is rumored to be close to a deal to buy Busch Entertainment Corp., including all of its SeaWorld theme parks, from Anheuser-Busch InBev.

  • The entrance of Antarctica's ride is part mountain, part penguin...

    Joe Burbank, Orlando Sentinel

    The entrance of Antarctica's ride is part mountain, part penguin in appearance.

  • Patrons interact with dolphins at Discovery Cove, on Friday, June...

    Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda, Orlando Sentinel

    Patrons interact with dolphins at Discovery Cove, on Friday, June 3, 2011.

  • Workers topped out construction of SeaWorld Orlando's Mako roller coaster...

    Matt Mauney, Orlando Sentinel

    Workers topped out construction of SeaWorld Orlando's Mako roller coaster on Thursday. The thrill ride is scheduled to open this summer.

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PUBLISHED: | UPDATED:

SeaWorld says it no longer wants any of the captured beluga whales at the center of a legal controversy.

The Georgia Aquarium is trying to overturn a federal decision denying its request to import the 18 Russian whales captured several years ago. SeaWorld would have received some of them under a breeding loan.

But this week, the company said on its AskSeaWorld website it won’t accept any belugas from the Georgia Aquarium’s permit application.

The decision “reflects an evolution in SeaWorld’s position since this project began more than eight years ago,” the company said on its website. The statement added that its decision “does not in any way reflect judgment on those facilities leading or participating in this beluga whale conservation effort.”

Last year, SeaWorld joined a pledge not to collect cetaceans captured from the wild after Feb. 14, 2014. “We felt the best way to reaffirm that commitment was to remove ourselves from the list of institutions listed on Georgia Aquarium’s beluga import permit application,” SeaWorld spokeswoman Becca Bides said in an email.

The announcement represents “a huge shift,” said Naomi Rose, a marine mammal scientist with the Animal Welfare Institute and a SeaWorld critic.

The Georgia Aquarium filed a federal lawsuit in 2013 trying to overturn the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Fisheries Service’s denial of an import permit. That case is pending.

“I think SeaWorld decided that their partnership with the Georgia Aquarium would only attract more protests and controversy to their parks,” said Nick Atwood, campaigns coordinator for the Animal Rights Foundation of Florida, in an email. “That’s the last thing SeaWorld needs right now.”

SeaWorld recently launched a marketing campaign to dampen controversy over its killer whales. The campaign included ads saying the company has not captured orcas from the wild in 35 years. But critics have been quick to pounce on SeaWorld’s attempts to import the belugas.

spedicini@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5240