Pregnant supermodel Marisa Miller takes on SeaWorld naked

PREGNANT supermodel Marisa Miller has posed nude in a bathtub to bring awareness to alleged animal abuse at SeaWorld.

‘Heartbroken’ ... supermodel Marisa Miller during the nude shoot for animal rights group PETA. Picture: PETA

PREGNANT supermodel Marisa Miller has posed nude in a bathtub to bring awareness to alleged animal abuse at SeaWorld, after being inspired by the documentary ‘Blackfish’.

The 36-year-old model posed naked for PETA’s latest campaign, which aims to bring attention to orcas held in captivity, the New York Post reports.

Miller, who’s pregnant with her second child, was photographed in a small bathtub for the ad, whose tagline reads, “SeaWorld: Separating Babies and Mothers Since 1970.”

“Being a mom and seeing Blackfish, it was extremely emotional,” said Miller of the controversial documentary on aquatic theme park SeaWorld. “I think any mother knows the sense of protection and connection you have with your baby.”

Miller adds she was “heartbroken” to learn that mother orcas cry out in sadness when their children are taken from them.

Emotional ... Marisa Miller says ‘any mother knows the sense of protection and connection you have with your baby.’ Picture: PETA

“ … Orcas at SeaWorld spend their lives in tiny concrete tanks that, to them, are the size of a bathtub,” Miller detailed, referencing her ad campaign. “Because of their confinement, they can only float listlessly, swim in circles and attack one another until they die — usually far short of their natural life expectancy — from injuries, pneumonia or other captivity-related causes. At least 36 orcas have died at SeaWorld — and not one of them from old age.”

On notice ... attendance across SeaWorld parks also saw a drop after the release of Blackfish. Picture: PETA

Since PETA took aim at SeaWorld, consumers and sponsors have taken notice.

Financial partners such at Mattel have parted ways with the brand. Attendance across SeaWorld parks also saw a drop after the release of Blackfish.

According to former SeaWorld orca trainer John Hargrove, the practice can take its toll.

“As I became higher-ranked, I saw the devastating effects of captivity on these whales and it just really became a moral and ethical issue,” he told NPR (via the Huffington Post). He went on to say mothers and young calves are separated.

Collaborators ... PETA’s latest campaign aims to bring attention to orcas held in captivity. Picture: PETA

SeaWorld responded to NPR with a statement that read, “We’ve never moved a calf from a mom … A calf is an animal young enough who is still dependent on the mom, still nursing with the mom, and still requires the mom’s leadership … We think they’re probably dependent [at] four to five years. After that, they start to gain their independence.”

A SeaWorld spokesman told HuffPost in an email: “Contrary to what you see in PETA’s campaign, SeaWorld understands the importance of keeping killer whale mothers and their dependent calves together. Mothers provide support and nutrition and we do not and would not interfere with that, unless the mother or calf’s life was in danger.”