| 02/16/2006 04:38:26 PM
In the first import of orcas into the European Union for more
than ten years, four animals from SeaWorld in the USA are expected
to arrive tomorrow at a new captive orca facility at Loro Parque,
Tenerife.
Despite protests from WDCS and other organisations that the import
of these animals would occur in violation of EU CITES (Convention
for International Trade in Endangered Species) legislation, the
orcas are due to be moved to the tourist park in the north of
Tenerife.
EU CITES legislation currently bans trade in cetaceans for commercial
purposes. It is not yet clear what the details of the deal between
Loro Parque and SeaWorld were, nor why this import of orcas was
allowed to go ahead.
Loro Parque has spent four years building an ‘Orca Ocean’, a 120
metre pool that will house four orcas, where the animals are expected
to perform for paying visitors.
The orca pool will sit alongside the park’s existing ‘attractions’,
which include a dolphinarium and penguin pool.
Many people are unaware of the suffering caused to orcas in captivity,
and continue to pay to see them. With a low survival rate in captivity,
WDCS is gravely concerned that further orcas will be captured
from the wild to be housed in a tank and forced to perform for
people’s entertainment.
Orcas suffer extreme emotional and physical distress when confined
in captivity. Evidence of this can be found in the high rate of
infant mortality, shorter life expectancy and aggressive behaviour,
often found in captivity.
Sadly, WDCS believes this import of orcas into Tenerife can only
lead to the further suffering of these animals.
Thanks to everyone who responded to our action alert and sent
e-cards to the Spanish authorities asking them to deny the import.
Although it looks as though we did not win our campaign this time,
the level of opposition to the imports did not go unnoticed, no
doubt contributed significantly to their decision-making on this
issue and will help WDCS with future campaigns to end to captures
and international trade in orcas.
Source: WDCS
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