Following news that Ron Bension, the president of House Of Blues Entertainment at Live Nation, and former chairman and CEO of MCA/Universal Studios Recreation Group, has joined SeaWorld's board of directors, iconic MÖTLEY CRÜE drummer Tommy Lee — a longtime SeaWorld foe — sent a letter on PETA's behalf this week asking Bension to urge the company to follow the National Aquarium's lead and build coastal sanctuaries for the animals currently held captive at its theme parks. "I'm glad that SeaWorld has stopped jacking off orcas since my appeal, which came before the release of 'Blackfish'. But for the 29 orcas and countless other animals who are still being kept in tiny tanks, it's the same ol' situation," writes Lee. "Please, save the orcas and your reputation by urging SeaWorld to build sanctuaries where these animals could feel ocean currents, hear wild pods, and still be cared for as long as they need." PETA's motto reads, in part, that "animals are not ours to use for entertainment." Tommy Lee's full letter on PETA's behalf can be seen below. SeaWorld has been losing favor with the public ever since the documentary "Blackfish" — starring a quartet of former SeaWorld employees — raised questions about the marine park's treatment of its animals and the safety of its staff. In 2010, Lee fired off a letter to SeaWorld over its treatment of the 12,000-pound orca named Tilikum which was involved in the death of three people, including Dawn Brancheau, a 40-year-old trainer with 16 years of experience at SeaWorld. Lee complained about the way SeaWorld got whale sperm from Tilikum, writing, "We know from SeaWorld's own director of safety (as well as videos on the web) that the way you get his sperm is by having someone get into the pool and masturbate him with a cow's vagina filled with hot water. "Even in my wildest days with MOTLEY CRUE, I never could've imagined something so sick and twisted."
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