Wild-Caught Orca In China: Letter To Guangdong Chimelong Group From Asia For Animals Coalition27/2/2014 The Asia for Animals (AFA) coalition has sent a letter to Mr. Su Zhigang, chairman of the Guangdong Chimelong Group, to express their "deep concern with regards the capture of killer whales, or orcas, from their natural habitat to reportedly be imported into China to provide entertainment at [your] Ocean Kingdom in Zhuhai". Included within the body of the letter are points on capture, transportation and confinement methods, the natural biology of orca, education in relation to performance shows involving tricks and aggression of orca towards human trainers. It is concluded that orca are not suited to a life in captivity and in such a situation, orca welfare is compromised. The coalition is appealing to Mr. Zhigang to "organise the release of these whales back into their natural habitat... and to commit to not capturing any marine mammals from the wild for display at Ocean Kingdom in the future." The AFA coalition represents 15 international organisations, including International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA), Animals Asia and International Animal Rescue (IAR). A further 132 organisations have signed the letter to show their support. These organisations represent millions of people who are concerned about the welfare of animals and particularly the welfare of these orca. We spoke with Alan Knight OBE, head of IAR, who told us, "I am horrified that China has started to import wild orca in dolphinariums. These are the first two and I am very worried that they will be followed by more. The capture of wild orca is cruel and serves no educational or scientific purpose. The business is all about making money. We should do everything in our power to stop it and return these majestic animals to their rightful home - the sea." The coalition agree that due to the short time these orca have spent in captivity, "a return to the wild has a high probability of success if done soon...". You can read the full letter below:
4 Comments
corinne gordon
27/2/2014 10:31:19 am
Agree with Alan Knights comments. These should be returned to the sea, their natural home. Displaying Orcas is only a money making business. Captured they are in an alien environment and suffer untold mental and physical damage all for entertainment. It is both sick and inhumane to capture these beautiful mammals. They belong in the sea.
myrna
27/2/2014 11:16:48 am
It's time we stop doing this. The time has come when we no longer capture wild and free animals. They don't want to be there and should not be forced.
Jessica DeMatty
27/2/2014 11:32:51 am
Orcas suffer too much in captivity!
Leigh-Anne Adams
27/2/2014 11:51:03 am
I completely agree with Alan Knights comment, Orcas belong in the wild. They have the right to live in their natural environment where they are with their own family members wild, happy and free. We need to help look after them not take them into artificial environments where their health is compromised. Leave a Reply. |
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