The day of getting animals to do tricks is over i'm afraid, especially big animals or large marine life.
People today just aren't receptive seeing elephants balance a ball on their trunk, or have a lion jump through hoops, or have a whale do some splashes. Sure they can be entertaining, but ultimately they lead to a bad after taste for most people.
Sea world needs to open up about their conservation programme, offer more education of the marine fish they have - at Shammu for whales i saw next to no education other than pleas they themselves were really good people - honest.
Secondly, they need to stop building cheap woeful coasters that by in large only appeal to a certain thrill maker - when the actual $$$ is in family themed attractions.
I wonder whose idea it was to believe coasters and marine life is the way forward?
Animal Kingdom covers itself because it gives the illusion through it's safari park that the animals are free to wonder around on their own in large spaces. This is true to an extent, but we also know at night they are taken back to cages. But the offer of space, and allowing animals to roam is a good deal for the consumer and they are willing to over look anything else.