Femke’s euthanasia: open letter to Parc Astérix

Ms Delphine Pons
Managing Director of Parc Astérix
60128 Plailly

Dear Managing Director,

One year has passed since Femke’s euthanasia, having been kept at Parc Astérix since 2008. However, our questions regarding the circumstances of her death remain unanswered to this day.

In fact, our association asked the administrative authorities in vain to see Femke’s autopsy report.

The common bottlenose dolphin species (Tursiops truncatus), which Femke belonged to, is a protected species in France and worldwide under Article L. 411-1 of the Environmental Code, under Annexe B of the Washington Convention, and under Annexe 2 of Council Regulation (EC) n° 338/97.

The cognitive and social abilities of bottlenose dolphins have won unanimous support nowadays within scientific communities and are sanctified by the UN who recognises the need to protect this species’ culture. As the captive individual, Femke was therefore a representative for her species and for individuals in the wild that make up the species.

Thus, beyond the fact that she was the legal property of Parc Astérix, Femke belonged to an international wildlife heritage which cannot be subject to appropriation for the benefit of private interests. This explains the emotion generated with each death and birth occurring within zoological parks. This is the reason why the data concerning the circumstances of her death must be known by the general public. It is not about individual visitors to the park who have shared moments with her and her sidekicks, but equally about all citizens who are, each at their own level, keepers of a small part of this shared heritage.

This is why we are asking you to please be transparent on this issue and to let us have Femke’s complete autopsy report.

We thank you for your attention to this letter and ask that you accept the expression of our highest consideration.

Muriel Arnal
Founding President of One Voice

Translated from the French by Joely Justice