Posts Tagged ‘captivity’
WDC in Japan – Part 3: Restoring freedom to dolphins in South Korea
In my last blog, I shared my spectacular encounter with digital whales and dolphins, now I want to tell you about the real dolphins I had the chance to marvel at in the wild from Jeju Island in South Korea. The best part of the story is that some of them were once in captivity but have been successfully released into the wild
Read MoreOrca Moana dies suddenly at Marineland
Twelve-year old orca, Moana has died suddenly at the Marineland Antibes theme park facility in France. The exact cause of his death will probably not be revealed until the results of a necropsy are known. Moana’s mother Wikie, his brother Keijo, and his uncle Inouk remain at the facility, which is in poor condition. WDC…
Read MorePacific white-sided dolphin Li’i transported to SeaWorld
Lolita and Li’i at Miami Seaquarium A Pacific white sided dolphin named Li’i, who was a companion to Tokitae (also known as Lolita) the orca whale at the Miami Seaquarium, has been moved to a new home. Li’i, who shared a tank with with Tokitae until her death in August will now be kept at…
Read MoreLolita the orca dies after half a century in captivity
Orca Tokitae (also known as Lolita) has sadly died of suspected renal failure after many decades held in captivity, and not long after plans to potentially release her into a sanctuary were announced. Tokitae was also given the name Sk’aliCh’elh-tenaut by the Lummi Nation of Washington State. She died at the Miami Seaquarium after being kept…
Read MoreWDC cartoonist campaign reminds MPs why captivity isn’t funny
To mark the 30th year since the closure of the last facility holding whales and dolphins captive in the UK, and as part of our push for legislation to stop one ever opening here again, we staged a unique exhibition event at the House of Commons today in conjunction with a host of leading cartoonists.…
Read MoreThomas Cook expands ban on ticket sales to captive dolphin shows
Great news for our ongoing campaign to end captivity and stop tour operators selling tickets to, and promoting whale and dolphin shows. Travel company Thomas Cook has announced that it is to stop the sale of tickets to attractions where any are held captive. WDC worked closely with the former owners of Thomas Cook, advising them…
Read MoreAmbitious plan to free captive orca Lolita announced
The new owner of the Miami Seaquarium in the US has announced that it is exploring plans to release captive orca Tokitae, also known as Lolita, back into a sea sanctuary in her home waters of the Pacific Northwest. Tokitae has been held captive in a tank for over 50 years and kept alone for…
Read MoreKiska the ‘world’s loneliest whale’ dies at Canadian theme park
Kiska, dubbed the loneliest whale in the world, has died at Marineland, a zoo and amusement park in Canada. Caught in wild Icelandic waters she spent four decades held captive. She was just three years old when she was taken from the ocean, and her family, and condemned to a life in a barren, concrete…
Read MoreNarnia the orca dies at Russian dolphinarium
Narnia the orca performs in Russia © Oxana Fedorova Narnia, a wild orca taken from the sea and held at the Moskvarium facility in Moscow has died. In a statement issued by the dolphinarium, officials say she died unexpectedly, showing no prior signs of illness. Narnia was thought to be around 17 years old and…
Read MoreLarge 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…
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