The Greek zoo Attica Park fined 44360 €. Let's demand its closure !

It took two years of campaigning and several complaints against shows using captive dolphins in the Attica Zoological Park in Greece for state inspectors to officially find that the park was in complete violation of Greek legislation with regard to these representations.

The report is without appeal. The park has worked without any authorization for 4 years between 2013 and 2017! But why would they stop there? Thus Article 13 of the Greek Law N.4039 / 2012 stipulates that "keeping animals in parks is allowed on condition that no show is organized with the participation of animals". What would the inspectors note during their visit on November 3, 2016? And although for an additional € 3, visitors to the zoo could watch a dolphin show at 11:00 for 20 minutes. What could be more logical...?

Already, just a simple respect of the law did not seem to be a strong point of Attica, it was not necessary moreover to ask them to follow the evolution of the law! Thus in 2014, when articles 12 and 13 of the law N.4039 / 2012 were modified, with article 12 thus taking the title of "It is prohibited to use any animal in any kind of exhibition and similar activities" , one should not expect the zoo to read the following prohibitions:

• 1 - It is forbidden to keep any animal in a circus or variety show if the animals are used in any way whatsoever and for any reason in their program, during shows or when a walk or in front of an audience.

• 2 - It is forbidden to use any type of animal in entertainment companies, car shows, music festivals, folk festivals or any other artistic or entertainment event if the animals are used in any way whether in their programs.

• 2a - Without prejudice to the provisions of Article 7, it is forbidden to present animals to the public for economic gain.

And besides what did the park say after the inspection? That the inspectors had "a misinterpretation of the law, and were biased" and provided "efforts to create negative impressions" and that in doing so there was no violation. The park also claims that since January 2017, no fees have been charged for the dolphin show, but only the price to enter the zoo. They should really have read the articles of law that concern them because this statement shows the for-profit nature of their activity and therefore the violation of presenting animals to the public for economic gain.

On our side, we congratulate Parc Astérix for tearing Ekinox from his mother, Femke, to be sold with another dolphin, little Naska, to this establishment that is trying so hard to break the law.

The Dolphinaria Free Europe coalition, of which One Voice is a member, will continue to support all attempts to get the Greek authorities to enforce the law banning shows with animals.

Demand the closure of Attica Park.

Send e-mails to the following person as well as to the Greek Embassy in Paris to urge them to enforce the law with immediate effect:

This article is a free translation of the article published on the website of Dolphinaria Free Europe.