UK travel companies selling tickets to marine parks with orca and dolphin shows are being targeted by a campaign to ban such “morally unacceptable” displays.
Responsibletravel.com and the World Cetacean Alliance Captivity Working Group Group are encouraging travel companies and travellers across the globe to sign a petition and spread the word via social media.
The partners have also written to UK based travel companies who sell tickets to such shows urging them to stop.
The campaign compares captive orca and dolphin shows to traditional animal circuses and urges travel companies and consumers to ‘say NO to orca circuses’.
Justin Francis, co-founder and managing director of Responsibletravel.com said: “I believe it’s time the entire travel and tourism industry took a long, hard look at what is going on with the captive cetacean industry.
“In our opinion it is morally wrong to keep these super intelligent animals in small, purpose built tanks and train them to perform tricks and stunts to loud music and a cheering crowd. Just as nothing can justify the use of tamed wild animals in circuses, I believe the time has come to end orca and dolphin circuses too.
“To help voice travellers’ increased discomfort and to raise awareness of the issues among travellers and travel companies, we have this week launched a campaign: ‘Say NO to orca circuses’.
“I hope the travel and tourism industry can translate the current tide of public sentiment into real action on this issue.”
Dylan Walker, secretariat at the World Cetacean Alliance, added: “The time has come to end the keeping of whales and dolphins in captivity. The experts know it, the scientific literature supports it, and the public are increasingly getting it.
“Tellingly, now even those holiday companies that make money from ticket sales to marine park dolphin shows are beginning to vote with their feet.
“We applaud those companies reviewing the situation and taking a stand. More will follow and we believe that change will come quickly now. But for those whales and dolphins held captive that change cannot come quickly enough. It is our responsibility to offer them a better life.”
The petition is at: responsibletravel.com/stop-orca-circus