Say no to orca & dolphin circuses says tour operator

Responsible travel says time’s up for captive whale and dolphin industry

Responsibletravel.com and the World Cetacean Alliance Captivity Working Group  have launched an important campaign to help convince the travel industry that the time is up for the captive whale and dolphin industry.

The campaign compares captive orca and dolphin shows to traditional animal circuses which are now morally unacceptable and urges travel companies and travellers to ‘say NO to orca circuses’. The emotive graphic and petition can be seen here: http://www.responsibletravel.com/stop-orca-circus

Responsibletravel.com and the World Cetacean Alliance Captivity working Group are encouraging travel companies and travellers across the globe to sign the petition and spread the word via a social media campaign. The partners have also written to UK based travel companies who currently sell tickets to marine parks with orca and dolphin shows.

 Justin Francis, co-founder and managing director, responsibletravel 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."

"I hope the travel and tourism industry can translate the current tide of public sentiment into real action on this issue. You can help by joining the conversation and signing the petition at http://www.responsibletravel.com/stop-orca-circus

Dylan Walker, Secretariat, World Cetacean Alliance said:

"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. "

"The way we view whales and dolphins is changing. We now know they are among the most intelligent animals on earth, live in complex societies, and have cultures. They even show levels of compassion towards each other that may exceed that shown by humans."

"So here comes the question? Does it sound like a good idea to take these animals from the wild, place them in a tiny box, feed them dead fish and force them to do tricks in front of a screaming crowd with loud music playing? These animals deserve so much more than that."

"We hope you can show your support by signing our petition and sharing with your networks "

Say NO to orca circuses – sign and share the petition today with @r_travel and @WorldCetacean http://www.responsibletravel.com/stop-orca-circus #NoOrcaCircus

Valere Tjolle

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