Activists in the United States could not make their disdain for SeaWorld any clearer… Which is likely why the infamous marine park is seeking to go international.

After SeaWorld released plans to expand operations into the Middle East last year, animal activist Melanie Barrett concluded that Dubai would be an obvious choice for a location. To stop the company in its tracks, she started a petition for people everywhere to join in the boycotting of SeaWorld.

So far, the petition has accumulated over 100,000 signatures!

Said Barett:

"SeaWorld speaks so excitedly about plans to open a Middle East park but how do you think the whales feel about that? Do you think the whales are excited to be crane lifted into a jumbo jet and flown half way across the world only to be put in another tank in the middle of the desert?"

Locals in Saudi Arabia aren't sure they want the bad press associated with SeaWorld coming into their country, either, as the United Arab Emirates news media reports. 

"It is cruel to keep any animal in captivity and the negative publicity would be huge," said activist Kirstie Lawton. "With all the campaigning and demands for it to be closed in the US, it's no wonder SeaWorld is looking for a new location."