Mary Cummins Wildlife Rehabilitation Animal Advocates News Los Angeles California: seaworld

Showing posts with label seaworld. Show all posts

Tuesday, September 12, 2023

San Diego Sues SeaWorld for $12,000,000 in past due rent. Is the end of SeaWorld near? by Mary Cummins, Animal Advocates

Wikipedia, SeaWorld, mary cummins, animal advocates, lawsuit, san diego, california

The City of San Diego sued SeaWorld for $12,000,000 in past due rent.

"The city of San Diego sued SeaWorld Thursday for allegedly failing to pay more than $12.2 million in rent, late fees, and interest.

The lawsuit follows a pledge to move forward with litigation if SeaWorld did not pay back rent and other penalties by Wednesday.

SeaWorld has argued the payments were waived because the theme park was forced to shut down for months at a time during the pandemic, while city officials say rent was only deferred.

A representative for SeaWorld said the company did not have anything to add regarding Thursday's filing other than its previous publicly released statement on the matter:

"While as a matter of policy we don't comment on potential litigation, we have enjoyed a long relationship with the city and remain hopeful that we can resolve this matter. We have partnered with the city for nearly 60 years — conducting thousands of animal rescues, numerous recycling drives and many other events. We also have paid more than $146 million in lease payments to the city of San Diego since 2010. We appreciate all the city has done and we look forward to addressing this situation."

The complaint filed in San Diego Superior Court states SeaWorld has underpaid rent between Jan. 1, 2019, and April 30, 2022.

According to the San Diego City Attorney's Office, SeaWorld's minimum rent payments total $10.4 million annually, plus a 3% surcharge under the terms of its lease.

"Although some 800 organizations have similar lease agreements with the city, SeaWorld is the only major city lessee that has remained in default of its rent obligations since the pandemic began," according to a city attorney's office statement.

For more than 50 years, SeaWorld has enjoyed a prime spot along San Diego’s Mission Bay and a good relationship with the city. That may be changing. NBC 7's Audra Stafford has the details.

The San Diego City Council voted 8-0 in May to authorize litigation.

"The city has a right to expect more from a 60-year partnership that has proven quite lucrative for SeaWorld," said San Diego City Attorney Mara Elliott. "City taxpayers — many of whom are legitimately struggling to recover from the global pandemic — should not have to absorb SeaWorld's debts and liabilities. We believe a court of law will agree."

SeaWorld, which is headquartered in Orlando, Florida, owns 12 theme parks around the world, employs thousands of people, and welcomes millions of visitors. Last year, they generated $1.7 billion in profits.

Chris Workman is an attorney who has handled many property rights cases but isn't involved directly in this dispute. He said the matter is a contractual dispute that will likely have to be resolved by a judge. "

Mary Cummins of Animal Advocates is a wildlife rehabilitator licensed by the California Department of Fish and Game and the USDA. Mary Cummins is also a licensed real estate appraiser in Los Angeles, California.

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Mary Cummins

Mary Cummins of Cummins Real Estate Services has been in real estate since 1983, over 35 years. She is licensed by the Bureau of Real Estate Appraisers. Mary Cummins was an agent and broker licensed with the California Department of Real Estate selling residential income, commercial buildings, raw land and homes for Merrill Lynch Realty in Beverly Hills and Westside Properties in Los Angeles before concentrating on appraisals. Mary Cummins currently provides real estate appraisals, expert witness testimony, historical research, legal real estate research for mortgage brokers, banks, lawyers, factors, insurance companies, financial consultants and private individuals. Mary Cummins was born and raised in Southern California. Cummins attended Beverly Hills Good Shepherd Catholic School and Beverly Hills High School. Besides being on the Dean's list, Mary Cummins was a top ten national swimmer and competed on the men's water polo team. Mary Cummins began college at the age of 15 attending the University of Southern California on scholarship, majoring in Psychology/Sociology. http://www.animaladvocates.us http://www.facebook.com/AnimalAdvocatesUSA

Sunday, February 5, 2017

Georgia Aquarium non-profit animal entertainment "business" - Atlanta, Georgia EIN 58-2574918

Georgia Aquarium, non-profit, for-profit, animal entertainment business, atlanta, georgia, seaworld, shows, tricks, tanks EIN: 58-2574918

I was surfing the web when the below video popped up for the Super Bowl. The first screen on the video states they are a 501 3c non-profit organization that doesn't have to pay taxes. If you take a closer look, they are actually a SeaWorld like for-profit business with $471,000,000 in assets which brings in $78,000,000 per year.

Notice in the video that it looks just like SeaWorld. The marine animals are all doing forced tricks with unnatural objects. This is no different than SeaWorld. These animals are bought, taken in as babies and habituated to be a trained animal to sell tickets to a park. They are not released back to the wild but caged for life.

Here is their Guidestar page so you can see the huge income they make.

https://www.guidestar.org/profile/58-2574918

They state this is conservation, education when it's really just entertainment for humans.

I wrote an article about the difference between non-profit aquariums and for-profit marine entertainment parks like SeaWorld. There is no difference except in the way they formed their corporations. SeaWorld should have started as a non-profit. Some of these non-profits bring in much more money than for profit SeaWorld.

http://animaladvocatesmarycummins.blogspot.com/2014/11/when-is-non-profit-not-non-profit.html

Mary Cummins of Animal Advocates is a wildlife rehabilitator licensed by the California Department of Fish and Game and the USDA. Mary Cummins is also a licensed real estate appraiser in Los Angeles, California.

Mary Cummins

Tuesday, March 22, 2016

What will actually happen at SeaWorld after they announced end of the breeding program and shows - Animal Advocates, Mary Cummins

SeaWorld, Tilikum, Joel Manby, marina mammal, orca, parks, captive breeding, empty the tanks, free willy, black fish, move, mary cummins, animal advocates

UPDATE: 03/24/2016 We were just notified that the breeding and show ban only applies to orcas, not dolphins. Dolphins also need to swim miles a day. They also live in families. On top of this they stated they will "rescue" marine mammals that are "unreleasable." This means they will take animals from other aquariums and water parks. Those other aquariums and water parks may breed and show animals. They may obtain then give, sell animals to SeaWorld. I know our local Fish & Wildlife gives perfectly healthy orphan sea otters to SeaWorld and other aquariums when they could be raised to be released back to the wild. We need to keep a very close eye to see if any real change will happen.

______________

SeaWorld announced the end of their orca breeding program on March 17, 2016 in all their marine parks around the US. They will also stop their "theatrical orca shows" and concentrate more on rescuing marine mammals. From their CEO Joel Manby "We will introduce new, inspiring, natural orca encounters rather than theatrical shows, as part of our ongoing commitment to education, marine science research and the rescue of marine animals." If you read the press release, you can tell that while things will be changing, the changes may not be that dramatic.

http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/03/17/470720804/seaworld-agrees-to-end-captive-breeding-of-killer-whales

They stopped taking baby orcas from their moms years ago because making them with artificial mating and insemination was cheaper. Their main sperm donor Tilikum is on his death bed/tank in Florida. No more Tilikum, no more free sperm. Notice they announced they would stop their breeding program a day after they announced Tilikum was dying. SeaWorld was forced to stop their breeding program in California by the California Coastal Commission. They were forced to stop their breeding program in all SeaWorlds around the US when they announced Tilikum who lives in Florida was dying. The only reason they stopped their breeding program was because Tilikum is dying and the public no longer wants to view their cruel orca shows and exhibits because of the documentary “Black Fish.” The main reason was the almighty dollar.

That said I’m still glad they are stopping the breeding program and the current orca shows. Still, animal activists can’t yet rest. SeaWorld will be doing “educational” shows showing “natural behaviors.” Based on what I’ve seen of “educational” marine mammal shows they will still show them breaching, spyhopping, tail-lobbing, pectoral fin slapping and eating. They will also show them doing all SeaWorld learned behaviors so they can be examined by a veterinarian such as rolling over, swimming up to and on a platform... I’m sure they will still do some parts of their regular shows calling it “enrichment” so they get “exercise and don’t get bored.” All in all I doubt much will really change. They may even have some “oops” babies like other zoos do. Babies bring in the crowds and the money. So do the live “shows.” We need to still keep our eyes on SeaWorld to monitor what they will actually do.

Mary Cummins

Sunday, November 16, 2014

When is a non-profit not a non-profit? SeaWorld, Shedd Aquarium, Monterey Bay Aquarium. Mary Cummins, Animal Advocates

Monterey Bay Aquarium, SeaWorld Adventure Park, Shedd Aquarium, when a non-profit is actually a for-profit business

SeaWorld is a for-profit company with 11 theme park/aquariums. They state their goal is to make a profit while promoting marine conservation. Yes, they force their animals to do tricks, keep them in small tanks, don't give them the best care. This article only deals with finances and taxes. In 2013 they made $1.46 billion from their parks, merchandise, restaurants...Their EBITDA was $439 million. Their CEO makes $675K/ye. You can swim with animals, touch the animals. While they were, are profitable, they don't pay Federal taxes, Florida corporation taxes because of write offs from debt payments, deductions. They state they pay tens of millions in other forms of state, federal, property...taxes.

http://www.seaworldinvestors.com/files/doc_financials/Annual%20Reports/2013%20SEAS%20Annual%20Report%20Final.pdf

The Shedd aquarium is legally a non-profit but it is definitely a for profit zoo. People pay to visit the aquarium and can pay extra to play with a beluga whale or penguin, just like SeaWorld. They state they need donations to care for this tiny sea otter pup. They make $73,000,000 a year from their zoo/aquarium with $350,000,000 in assets, $177,000,000 in cash. They don't need money for this pup. He should have been rehabbed here for release back to the wild. He's being used to make money. They have $22,000,000 in salaries, CEO makes $3,500,000 per year! They turn a big profit every year over $20,000,000. Zoo masquerading as a non-profit sanctuary. Here is their 990 for 2012. They only pay some payroll taxes. They receive $5 million from taxes paid by others.

http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2012/362/167/2012-362167918-09783b4b-9.pdf

CEOs of Monterey Bay Aquarium, SeaWorld, Shedd Aquarium

Monterey Bay Aquarium takes in $66 million a year. They also have over $300 million in assets. Julie Packard Director makes about $300K/yr. 12 other people have over $150K and even $200K/yr. They spend $1.2 million on animals. The aquarium turns a nice profit. They have $80 million in cash. $150M in stocks and bonds. If you look at the end of their 990, you can see their sea otter activity. They even work with SeaWorld. They give them pups. Only pay payroll taxes.

http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2012/942/487/2012-942487469-09e0c7c0-9.pdf

Monterey Bat Aquium, SeaWorld San Diego, Shedd Aquarium maps, non-profit verses for-profit business

Right now people are trying to get the NFL's non-profit status yanked. I didn't even know they were a non-profit. They are a 501 6 c corporation, an "industry association." They are legally a non-profit just like a church. Seems there are many other organizations which are also non-profit such as social club, fraternity, business league, labor organization, veterans, employee benefits... They make $9 billion a year. Commissioner makes $44 million/year.

If you look at these companies, they all look like for-profit organizations to me. They are big business. To me a non-profit should be a charity, true church...an organization that helps the public good. Their main goal is to help people, not make a lot of money. That is just tax evasion.

When you consider that for-profit SeaWorld didn't pay taxes even in 2011 when they had record earnings it probably doesn't even matter if a company is for profit or non-profit. If they are bringing in enough money, they will find a creative way to not pay any taxes. I think if the nation wants to get a better grip on taxes, the economy, they need to rein in this tax abuse. They are all businesses making an awful lot of money.

Mary Cummins of Animal Advocates is a wildlife rehabilitator licensed by the California Department of Fish and Game and the USDA. Mary Cummins is also a licensed real estate appraiser in Los Angeles, California.

Mary Cummins

Mary Cummins Animal Advocates Los Angeles California Wildlife Rehabilitation Real Estate

Tuesday, September 12, 2023

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Tuesday, March 22, 2016

Sunday, November 16, 2014