Third orca death in 18 months at theme park
Loro Parque tourist attraction in Tenerife, Spain has announced the death of Kohana, a 20-year-old orca transferred to the facility from SeaWorld in the US in 2006. Kohana is the third orca who has died at the facility within 18 months after Skyla (17 years old) died in March 2021, and Ula (three years old),…
Read MoreOrca Nakai dies at SeaWorld San Diego
SeaWorld San Diego has announced the death of the orca Nakai. The 20-year-old male orca was born at the facility in 2001. According to the facility, Nakai died on August 4 of an infection, after “aggressive therapeutic and diagnostic efforts were unsuccessful.” Nakai was the first orca to be born as a result of artificial…
Read MoreLast captive Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin to be freed in South Korea
Bibongi, the last Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin held in captivity in South Korea, is to be returned to the wild after 17 years. The country’s Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced on August 3rd that it was to begin preparations for the male dolphin’s eventual release, which includes a period of training him for life back…
Read MoreDolphin pens identified at Russian naval base
Analysis of satellite imagery suggests that Russia may be using military dolphins at its naval base at Sevastopol in the Black Sea. Sea pens used to hold the dolphins have been identified near the entrance to the harbour. Tasks carried out by the dolphins may include searching for objects and patrolling local waters. The US…
Read MoreHigh mercury levels found in slaughtered Japanese dolphin meat
According to reports from Japan, police there are investigating the sale of whale and dolphin meat containing potentially illegal levels of dangerous toxins. Action for Dolphins group say tests on samples of meat sold in the coastal town of Taiji reveal mercury levels up to 25 times higher that safe limits set by the government.…
Read MoreSweden’s last dolphin shows to end
Sweden will become dolphinaria-free following the announcement by Kolmården Zoo in Stockholm that it will be closing its dolphin facility, which currently holds twelve bottlenose dolphins. The Zoo says it wants to focus on the conservation of endangered species and end its 50-year-old era of keeping dolphins. The dolphinarium will remain in operation until the…
Read MoreThe show is over for captive orca Lolita
Lolita, the orca, held at the Miami Seaquarium in Florida since 1970, will no longer perform in shows at the theme park. New managers at the Florida facility have announced that Lolita, also known to many as Tokitae, and thought to be around 56 years old, will be retired from performances in the stadium tank. MS Leisure, a…
Read MoreAnother beluga whale dies at Mystic Aquarium
Just six months after the loss of a whale called Havok, another beluga has died at the Mystic Aquarium in the US. Both belugas had been transported to the US from Marineland in Ontario, Canada in May 2021, along with three other individuals. The facility reported on its Facebook page that the female beluga, who…
Read MoreInfamous whale jail dismantled – could a capture ban be next?
A Russian facility used to house captured whales in cramped conditions has finally been dismantled, hopefully putting an end to anymore cruel activities at the site. Dubbed the ‘whale jail’ after an international outcry, the floating pens in Srednyaya bay in Far East Russia were emptied of whales in late 2019 following public criticism from…
Read MoreNew law looks set to ban dolphin shows in France
New legislation in France is set to ban dolphin shows in two years time as part of wider rules that will also target circuses and mink farms. France currently has two marine parks which hold whales and dolphins. at Marineland Antibes which holds 4 orcas and 12 bottlenose dolphins. Planete Sauvage is thought to have…
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