ORLANDO, Fla. _ SeaWorld Entertainment is eliminating 320 positions companywide.
A company spokeswoman said Tuesday the eliminations will be a combination of layoffs and vacant positions. She did not provide a breakdown.
This is the second large layoff the Orlando-based company has undergone in two years. About 300 people lost their jobs in late 2014.
SeaWorld said people getting laid off would receive "enhanced severance benefits" and outplacement assistance.
"These changes are being made to best position our company for long-term success, and so that we can continue to do great things for animals across the globe," the company said in an emailed statement.
"We remain committed to a continued focus on the guest experience, the health and welfare of our animals, and the safety of our guests and team members. It is an unfortunate, but necessary, consequence of the restructuring that some positions will be lost."
SeaWorld's financial situation has not improved since the last major layoff. In March, the company said it was going to stop breeding orcas, an attempt to lessen the controversy that has accompanied its killer whale breeding program.
But the company's attendance, revenue and profit have still suffered. More recently SeaWorld has blamed that on competition from rivals Disney and Universal and a slowdown in Orlando traffic, including a drop in Brazilian visitors.
In its last earnings report, SeaWorld said it planned to implement cost-cutting measures that would provide $40 million in net savings by the end of 2018.
Chief Executive Officer Joel Manby told analysts that as part of the company's overall transformation, "we are appropriately adjusting our management team and workforce" and pursuing other strategies.
A few days ago, SeaWorld announced that Julie Scardina, a longtime animal ambassador, would be retiring from the company.
