Posts Tagged ‘Tour Operators’
A former UK dolphin trainer reflects
It’s been 30 years since the last dolphin show closed its doors in the UK. But shockingly, it’s still not illegal to keep a whale, dolphin, or porpoise captive. We talked to David C Holroyd (stage name David Capello), a top dolphin trainer during the early 1970s boom in whale and dolphin ‘attractions’. Despite being…
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…
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Breaking barriers for whales and dolphins at the Convention of Migratory Species
Many species of whales, dolphins and porpoises undertake long journeys, encountering human-made obstacles along the way. Danger lurks in various forms from fishing nets to harpoons, underwater noise to chemical and plastic pollution. I’ve just returned from a gathering of global scientists trying to find ways to allow them to travel freely. Species without borders A…
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We’re using cartoons to urge the UK government to end captivity forever
To mark the 30th anniversary of the closing of Britain’s last dolphinarium, and as part of our campaign to urge the government to #EndCaptivityForever by making it illegal, we staged a unique event at the House of Commons in conjunction with leading cartoonists from the Professional Cartoonists Organisation (‘Procartoonists’). Professional cartoonist Glenn Marshall is…
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…
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