Support grows for an end to cetacean captivity at the Vancouver Aquarium

WDC welcomes recent statements from Vancouver’s Mayor and Park Board Commissioners Constance Barnes and Sarah Blyth, supporting a phase out of whale and dolphin captivity at the Vancouver Aquarium. The Aquarium currently holds belugas and Pacific white-sided dolphins, the latter imported from Japan in 2001 and 2005, and concerns have been raised about further imports of cetacean individuals as reports suggest the aquarium is looking to create further whale and dolphin exhibits.

As more people become aware of the welfare and conservation risks posed to whales and dolphins by their capture and confinement in captivity, the development of further captive whale and dolphin facilities around the world is being brought increasingly into question. The City of Vancouver would be greatly praised by concerned citizens worldwide and throughout the conservation and scientific community for implementing a position against the keeping of whales and dolphins at the Vancouver Aquarium.