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Bottlenose dolphins breaching

Landmark report reveals UK wildlife’s devastating decline

With whales and dolphins already facing many threats, a landmark report released this week reveals...
Dolphins with oil rig

Go ahead for new UK oil and gas exploration threatens whales and dolphins

Permission has been granted for the development of the UK's biggest untapped oilfield off Shetland,...
Icelandic hunting vessels in port

Whaling boat kept in port after more hunt cruelty exposed

Icelandic whale hunting fleet One of the whaling boats involved in the latest hunts in...
Commerson's dolphin

New Important Marine Mammal Areas added to global ocean conservation list

Commerson's dolphin Experts from a number of countries have mapped out a new set of...

Vancouver bans whales and dolphins in captivity at aquarium

Whales and dolphins will no longer be able to be held in captivity at the Vancouver Aquarium after the city’s Park Board agreed on Monday to ban bringing in new cetaceans. The ban includes injured or rescued whales and dolphins. 

The aquarium is located in Vancouver’s Stanley Park which is run by the Board. It currently holds a false killer whale, pacific white-sided dolphin and a harbour porpoise which can remain there but no longer appear in performances.

There has been a long-running debate over whether the aquarium should continue to keep captive whales and dolphins which came to a head in November after the sudden death of two beluga whales, a mother and calf, caused by a toxin whose origin could not be determined. The aquarium had been hoping to extend its beluga exhibit and bring more whales before phasing it out in 2029. 

The aquarium has said it will fight the latest decision. It can still treat wildlife at its rescue centre, which is not located on Park Board land.


About George Berry

George is a member of WDC's Communications team and website coordinator.