FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 17, 2023
Contacts:
Mark J. Palmer: (707) 553-1720, [email protected]
David Phillips: (510) 859-9145, [email protected]
SeaWorld Can Finish Merciless Period of Orcas Displayed for Leisure
On 30th anniversary of Free Willy and 10th of Blackfish, Worldwide Marine Mammal Mission requires SeaWorld to permit retirement of North America’s final remaining captive orcas
BERKELEY, CA — SeaWorld has turn out to be the final North American firm that refuses to launch orcas from lives in concrete tanks. That doubtful distinction was earned this 12 months when the orca Kiska died at Marineland Canada and Miami Seaquarium formally dedicated to relocate Tokitae, aka Lolita, to a sea sanctuary to be inbuilt her residence waters off the Washington coast.
July additionally marks the thirtieth anniversary of Free Willy and tenth anniversary of Blackfish — two landmark movies that have been instrumental in constructing worldwide strain to finish the seize of orcas and holding them in captivity for human leisure.
The legacy of Keiko, made well-known because the star of the hit film Free Willy, demonstrated how orcas can efficiently be returned to residence waters. The movie’s recognition led to the Free Keiko marketing campaign that returned its star to a seaside sanctuary in his native Iceland after a cease in Oregon that introduced him again to well being and taught him the abilities he wanted for survival within the open ocean.
“The aftermath of Free Willy proved captive orcas might be returned to the ocean. Now could be the time for SeaWorld to start releasing North America’s final remaining captive orcas,” mentioned David Phillips, director of Worldwide Marine Mammal Mission, treasurer of the Whale Sanctuary Mission, and founding father of the Free Willy Keiko Basis. “Relocating orcas to seaside sanctuaries and in some instances again into their wild pods is protected, humane and doable.”
Preparations at the moment are underway to construct a seaside sanctuary for Tokitae. She is 57 years previous, the second oldest captive orca on the planet, and all however 4 years of her life have been spent in small concrete tanks on the Miami Seaquarium. Scientists, animal welfare advocates, public opinion, and now even the homeowners of the Miami Seaquarium have agreed that she deserves to go residence.
The science is obvious that orcas endure in captivity — and that SeaWorld has a troubled historical past because the main orca captor. Blackfish confirmed how captive orcas endure shortened and unhealthy lives in concrete tanks. SeaWorld might observe the same path as Miami Seaquarium and work with the whale conservative group to retire its orcas.
“Each considered one of this continent’s 18 remaining captive orcas, all of whom are held at SeaWorld, deserve an opportunity to swim free. They’d all reside higher and more healthy lives away from concrete tanks and in pure seawater sanctuaries,” Phillips mentioned. “Half of the orcas at SeaWorld are below 21 years previous, so the merciless period of orca captivity might proceed for many years to return. Or SeaWorld can announce an finish to it proper now.”
Beneath rising public strain, in addition to provisions of California legislation, SeaWorld ended its orca breeding program and stopped all importation of further orcas. However SeaWorld has refused to retire or relocate any of orcas to sea sanctuaries. This might imply a continuation of the inhumane therapy and exploitation of those orcas for many years to return.
“It’s time for SeaWorld to do the best factor and let its orcas observe the pathway to freedom from tanks led by Keiko, Tokitae and their allies within the whale conservation group,” Phillips mentioned. “Please do no matter you’ll be able to to help our Free Captive Orcas marketing campaign.”
In regards to the Worldwide Marine Mammal Mission
For greater than 40 years, Earth Island Institute’s Worldwide Marine Mammal Mission (IMMP) has labored to guard whales, dolphins, and their ocean atmosphere from risks akin to drift and gill nets, cetacean captivity, industrial whaling, and offshore drilling. IMMP gained worldwide recognition for pioneering the Dolphin Secure tuna program and for its efforts to finish the commerce and captivity of dolphins and whales. IMMP additionally advocates to finish industrial whaling on the Worldwide Whaling Fee with a focused concentrate on Japan, Iceland, and Norway. For extra info, please go to savedolphins.eii.org.
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