Free our cetaceans

How long will France tolerate slavery on its territory?

What else can we call the detention and exploitation of dozens of cetaceans in prisons pompously named dolphinariums?

Of course, there are no chains, the atmosphere is festive and the water turquoise. The dolphins are smiling and the orcas are splashing about mischievously. Everything is done so that the slaves seem to breathe joie de vivre!

Let’s denounce this masquerade and put an end to it!

Need we remind you that orcas and dolphins, these marvelous creatures made for the immensity of the ocean, are not objects of entertainment? That their removal from their natural environment and the deprivation of their vital needs, both psychological and physical, are sources of unspeakable suffering?

One Voice is calling for massive mobilization and constant pressure to ensure that captive cetaceans are returned to their true lives, and that this exploitation of nonhuman beings finally comes to an end!

Don’t let them down! Demand the closure of dolphinariums and prevent the opening of new ones!

“The law for the reconquest of biodiversity was adopted without the amendments on the closure of dolphinariums. The French government has once again shown its lack of concern for the suffering of cetaceans. Yet the psychological suffering of cetaceans in captivity can drive them to madness. The story of the orca Tilikum in Blackfish is a tragic illustration of this. Dolphinariums confine marine mammals and force them to perform for commercial reasons. They abuse the animals and damage biodiversity.”

Several countries have already banned these structures on their soil in the interests of protecting cetaceans. Chile, Hungary, Costa Rica in 2005, Switzerland in 2012 and finally India in 2013.

It is unthinkable that France should refuse to take this scientific evidence into account and continue to ignore the suffering of these marine mammals.

The death of orca Valentin, who died at the age of 19 while in captivity at Marineland d’Antibes, must not be in vain.

We, the undersigned, support One Voice’s call for a ban on dolphinariums in France and for all captive cetaceans to be transferred to marine sanctuaries, as recommended by Dr Ingrid Visser. The French government must release cetaceans held against their will, close these prisons once and for all, and block all new projects.