State health and safety regulators have cited animal theme park SeaWorld San Diego for not correctly protecting its workers whose job is to work with killer whales.

As per the reports, on Wednesday, the theme park received four citations from the health and safety regulators. Three of the citations were categorized as serious. According to the citations, the theme park has failed to establish effective 'injury and illness prevention program'.

In two of the citations, the state Division of Occupational Safety and Health has called out the theme park for having an accurate process to protect its workers who work with killer whale, swam with them in medical pool and who are present on the slide outs with the whales.

The four citations received by SeaWorld carry a fine of more than $25,700. According to SeaWorld's statement on Thursday, it has decided to appeal. In a written statement, the park said that safety of employees and guests is the first priority of the park.

The statement stated, "The citations issued by Cal/OSHA today were not precipitated by any workplace incident, accident or injury, and they reflect a fundamental misunderstanding of the requirements of safely caring for killer whales in a zoological setting".

According to SeaWorld, it has set up many safety precautions, including fast-rising pool floors and custom-fitted personal emergency air systems, to protect its employees and guests.

Erika Monterroza, spokeswoman of Occupational Safety and Health Administration, said the subsequent citations were prompted by a complaint. The complaint could have originated from a worker or an individual outside the park, according to the Monterroza. SeaWorld spokesman Dave Koontz did not disclose how the complaint originated.