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Report: Valium Used to Control Behavior of SeaWorld Whales

Posted at 5:46 PM, Apr 04, 2014
and last updated 2014-04-04 17:46:24-04

SeaWorld was accused of giving its whales psychoactive drugs similar to Valium in order to control their behavior.

The information was revealed in a sworn statement from former vice president of SeaWorld Dr. Lanny Cornell, according to the Daily Mail.

A spokesperson for SeaWorld said the medication is used to sedate the animals for medical procedures and to control seizures, according to the Daily Mail. It is prescribed by a veterinarian and regulated.

Animal activists called the drug the “final straw,” noting prolonged use may cause panic attacks, out-of-body experiences and muscle spasms.

SeaWorld faced a slew of criticism after the documentary “Blackfish” was released in 2013.

It portrayed life in captivity and examined the treatment of the whales.

Click here to read more from the Daily Mail.