Large number of dolphins moved to Abu Dhabi marine park
Up to 24 captive bottlenose dolphins have reportedly been sent to a new SeaWorld theme park in Abu Dhabi. The marine park is due to open in 2023 and the dolphins, who were moved from a number of SeaWorld locations in the US, including San Diego, San Antonio, and Orlando, now face further confinement in…
Read MoreThird 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 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 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 MoreMore good news for WDC’s End Captivity tour operators campaign
WDC’s ongoing campaign asking tour operators not to promote cruel whale and dolphin captivity shows received another boost following the news that travel giant Expedia has become the latest company to ban the sale of holidays involving dolphins and whales. In a statement, Expedia announced that ‘attractions and activities that involve performances by, or interactions with…
Read MoreNorway urged to abandon plans to experiment on captured whales
50 of the world’s leading whale and dolphin scientists have signed a letter from WDC urging the Norwegian government to stop potentially cruel and dangerous experiments on wild minke whales going ahead. Approval for the research was made by the Norwegian Food Safety Authority (Mattilsynet). The whales will be captured off Vestvågøy in the Lofoten…
Read MoreNorway urged to abandon plans to experiment on captured whales
Take action Please sign the petition on change.org Ask the Norwegian prime minister to stop these cruel experiments. Sign now – the whales could be captured any day. 50 of the world’s leading whale and dolphin scientists have signed a letter from WDC urging the Norwegian government to stop potentially cruel and dangerous experiments…
Read MoreCaptivity ‘done and dusted’ in Australian state
Officials in New South Wales (NSW), Australia have announced that captive dolphins will no longer be commercially bred or imported into the State. The new regulations were introduced by NSW environment minister Matt Kean and followed a public enquiry into captive dolphin shows and facilities, dolphin parks and circuses, and will see dolphin shows disappear.…
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