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Dolphin in Brazil helping with fishing illustration

Dolphins and fishermen working together

Kidzone - quick links Fun Facts Curious kids Blogs Fantastic fundraisers Gallery Splish and Splash...
Gray whale (eschrichtius robustus) Gray whale in Ojo de liebre lagoon Baja California.

Why we’re walking for whales to save the world

We've got enormous ambitions when it comes to fighting climate breakdown, and so two members...
Dolphins with keepers in the new Windsor Safari Park. Image: PA Images/Alamy Stock Photo

Three decades on from UK’s last dolphin show, what needs to change?

The UK hasn't had captive whales and dolphins on display for 30 years, but it's...
Fishers' involvement is crucial. Image: WDC/JTF

When porpoises and people overlap

We're funding a project in Hong Kong that's working with fishing communities to help save...
Whale evolution cover

How did whales end up living in the ocean?

Kidzone - quick links Fun Facts Curious kids Blogs Fantastic fundraisers Gallery Splish and Splash...
Fishers chatting

Scottish fishers working with us to reduce risks to whales

Small changes to fishing gear could make a big difference to whales around Scotland, and...

Mindful conservation – why we need a new respect for nature

'We should look at whales and dolphins as the indigenous people of the seas -...
tins of whale meat

How Japan’s whaling industry is trying to convince people to eat whales

Japan's hunters kill hundreds of whales every year despite the fact that hardly anyone in...

Boo on Shamu!

Is SeaWorld trying to buy our forgiveness by connecting with well-known and well-loved brands? First Wendy’s, now Stauffer’s (the ones who make those delicious animal crackers) have SeaWorld-themed products that encourage their customers to visit the oceanarium.  The “Shamu and Friends” line of cheddar cheese crackers features smiling orca cartoons, and the box declares that “a portion of the proceeds from your purchase will help protect animals around the world through the SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund.”

  

Sounds like a good deal – buy some delicious snacks and help protect animals, but you’re also buying the idea of happy, smiling orcas in captivity.  With the recent release of “Blackfish” and the numerous incidents at SeaWorld that have been in the media recently (a beached pilot whale, a dolphin who jumped out of its tank), more attention is being brought to the cruelty of captivity and awareness of the issue is increasing.  Pixar even changed their planned ending of the upcoming “Finding Dory” to reflect the controversy around captivity – the animated marine animals featured in the movie will have the option to leave a captive marine park.  As with Wendy’s, consumer choices matter – don’t buy the Shamu snacks, don’t encourage this partnership, and tell Stauffer’s that you don’t support captivity and they shouldn’t either.