In June 2019, Canada passed The Ending the Captivity of Whales and Dolphins Act (Bill S-203). This law makes “it illegal to hold any cetacean in captivity, for reasons other than rehabilitation and scientific research.

Breeding or trading reproductive materials of whales and dolphins will also be prohibited. Any breach of this ban carries fines of up to $200,000.” The United States needs to follow suit and also end whale and dolphin captivity!

Cetaceans, which are more widely known as marine mammals, are whales, dolphins, and porpoises. Sadly, they’re often taken from the wild and kept in captivity for entertainment and they suffer immensely.

In the wild, these highly social creatures stay close to and travel with their pods. In captivity, they are forced into man made “pods.”This leads to aggression amongst tank members. This only adds to the depression and physical pain they experience from being trapped in pools far too small for creatures who would swim thousands of miles a day in the wild.

In captivity, cetaceans become so depressed they self-mutilate and attempt suicide by trying beach themselves.

In terms of physical health, they don’t get anywhere near enough exercise and they do not reach the life expectancy they would in the ocean, dying at much higher rates and younger ages.

The United States has far more facilities with captive marine animals than Canada. The U.S. is also the country with the third most captive dolphins in the world.

With especially cruel and infamous marine parks like SeaWorld, we need to pass a bill like the one Canada did as soon as possible.

Sign this petition demanding that the U.S. Congress end marine mammal captivity in the United States. And make sure to sign your local representatives asking them to introduce legislation that fights against the captivity and exploitation of whales and dolphins.

This article was first published by OneGreenPlanet on 28 February 2020. Lead Image Source : Tinseltown/Shutterstock

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