Judge to rule if whales are being treated like slaves

A US judge is to rule whether five performing killer whales have the same constitutional rights against slavery as human beings.

US District Judge Jeffrey Miller called the hearing in San Diego after Sea World asked the court to dismiss a lawsuit filed by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) that names the five orcas as plaintiffs in the case.

Peta claims the captured whales are treated like slaves by being forced to live in tanks and perform daily at its parks in San Diego and Orlando, Florida.