MÖTLEY CRÜE drummer Tommy Lee has lashed out at the SeaWorld theme park for putting on nightly "Shamu Rocks" shows that blast music while orcas perform tricks for the crowd. According to PETA (People For The Ethical Treatment Of Animals), the "Shamu Rocks" shows put these animals in an environment that is even more stressful than the one they already are forced to endure. That's why PETA supporter Lee recently urged the park in San Diego to put a stop to this unnecessary and cruel spectacle.

Lee, along with PETA, sent a letter to John T. Reilly, the president of the theme park's San Diego location, stating in part, "I'm writing to ask you not to play any MÖTLEY CRÜE songs at any of SeaWorld's parks during this sad show. Although we like to torture the human fans who willingly come to our shows, we don't want to be a part of making innocent animals' lives hellish."

Says PETA: "Orcas at SeaWorld are already denied everything that is natural and important to them. These intelligent animals are forced to learn circus-style tricks and are confined to pitifully small concrete tanks, where they have no choice but to swim in endless circles. Like many marine animals, orcas are guided by an intricate sonar system, which is thwarted in small aquarium tanks. Excessive outside noise only adds to the animals' distress, causing them to become fearful and aggressive. Some experts say that a noise level of 70 decibels is too much for the orcas to handle, yet 'Shamu Rocks' shows reach up to 90 decibels. These shows teach visitors all the wrong lessons: that it is acceptable to imprison animals, deprive them of freedom of movement and thought, and use them for our entertainment, despite the risks to their physical and mental health."

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, most recently 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."