Canada frees Willy and friends with captive ban
Bottlenose dolphin mother and calf
(Photo courtesy PETA)
(CNS): The Canadian parliament has passed a bill making it illegal to hold dolphins, porpoises and whales in captivity. Nicknamed the “Free Willy” bill in reference to the famous 1993 film, it also bans the breeding, capture or trade of any cetacean but does not apply to animals held for rehabilitation or held by government-licensed researchers. However, it allows parks currently holding animals in captivity to keep those already owned. The passage of the law has been lauded by animal-rights activists, who have campaigned against dolphins in captivity for decades.
The move aligns Canada with a growing list of countries that are endeavouring to ban cetaceans in captivity, said Rebecca Aldworth, executive director of the Canadian chapter of Humane Society International, which was among a coalition of marine scientists and organisations backing the bill. She described it as “a victory for all Canadians who want this to be a more humane country”.
Meanwhile, here in Cayman there are still two facilities holding captive dolphins, despite the growing global public opinion turning away from supporting dolphin parks.
Nothing fantastic ever happens in a hurry. But today we celebrate that we have ended the captivity and breeding of whales and dolphins. This is news to splash a fin at. #bills203 #emptythetanks #cdnpoli Thank you everyone. pic.twitter.com/7j49YkEmpy
— Humane Canada (@HumaneCanada) June 10, 2019
#Breaking: When we work together, good things happen.
This is a combined effort from @ElizabethMay, Senators Moore and Sinclaire, key Liberal and NDP MPs, NGOs, marine scientists and everyday people across Canada.#FreeWilly pic.twitter.com/RRPB91tT9y
— Green Party Canada (@CanadianGreens) June 10, 2019
Category: Canada, Marine Environment, Science & Nature, World News
And Canada allows same sex marriage 😉
how people can think that keeping these creatures in oversized swimming pools is a good idea…is beyond belief.
shame on everybody associated with the cayman dolphin prisons.
It is called greed and money to the detriment of the animals.
Wonderful news!!!!
Dolphins belong in the ocean.
FREE the captive dolphins in Cayman.
“Meanwhile, here in Cayman there are still two facilities holding captive dolphins, despite the growing global public opinion turning away from supporting dolphin parks.” – More accurately, Cayman’s two parks are under a similar ‘grandfather clause’ as the ones currently operating in Canada. – Whichever side of the debate your’e on we can only have an informed discussion if the reporting is accurate.
1:35, Which piece of CIG legislation “grandfathered” the 2 facilities here? You need to be accurate with your facts.
Who owns the 2 Cayman facilities? Locals or expats?
Absolutely brilliant news. Congratulations Canada! Hope many countries will follow their example.
Could saving the seal pups be next? I sure hope so!
Fantastic news!