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Advocacy group rebuts SeaWorld's open letter

ORLANDO, Fla. — An advocacy group that produced the award-winning movie "The Cove" is taking issue with SeaWorld's defense of its treatment of killer whales.
 
The Oceanic Preservation Society issued a rebuttal on Monday to full-page ads that SeaWorld took out in seven newspapers last week, defending its record with killer whales.
 
SeaWorld took out the ads after eight recording artists withdrew from a concert series SeaWorld is holding at its Orlando park in February. Many of the artists cited the critical documentary "Blackfish" as inspiring their decision to drop out.
 
The documentary "Blackfish" explores what may have caused a 12,000-pound orca named Tilikum to kill veteran SeaWorld trainer Dawn Brancheau in 2010.
 
Among the artists who have canceled are Trisha Yearwood, Martina McBride, 38 Special, Barenaked Ladies, Willie Nelson and Heart.