Protest Outside BGH Capital to Demand Dolphin Breeding Ban at Sea World
News
Volunteers joined World Animal Protection and Action for Dolphins outside BGH Capital offices in Melbourne, calling for the new owners of Sea World to end captive dolphin breeding at the Gold Coast marine park.
Holding inflatable dolphins and handing out postcards to passersby and employees of BGH Capital, the goal was to capture the attention of the private equity firm to highlight the plight of captive dolphins.
This follows the NSW government’s recent announcement that they are banning captive dolphin breeding in the state, leaving Sea World as the only venue in Australia that still breeds dolphins.
Head of Campaigns at World Animal Protection, Ben Pearson said:
“BGH Capital have refused to engage with us on the 30 or so dolphins suffering at Sea World. This issue is one our supporters care deeply about, so we are escalating our campaign.
“Breeding more dolphins that can live up to 50 years is unjustifiable given the cruelty involved and the declining social acceptability of captive dolphin tourism.
“The future profitability of Sea World lies in rides and non-animal attractions. They don’t need to breed more dolphins into a lifetime of lockdown.”
CEO at Action for Dolphins, Hannah Tait said:
“The science is clear. Captive dolphins suffer stress, behavioural abnormalities, high mortalities, and breeding problems. Despite this, the 30 dolphins owned by BGH capital at Sea World are still part of an active breeding program - the last of its kind in Australia.
“That's why Action for Dolphins is joining World Animal Protection outside BGH Capital to make it known this outdated practice should end."
World Animal Protection and Action for Dolphins have publicly campaigned for a ban on captive dolphin breeding in Australia for years, and achieved success last month in NSW when the Government announced a new regulation that prohibits the breeding of dolphins in the state.
The declining social acceptability of dolphin entertainment is also supported by research* showing a 2% drop in acceptability of dolphin shows from 2019 to 2020, with 66% of Australians preferring to see dolphins in the wild.
The tide is also turning when it comes to the companies that facilitate bookings at dolphin venues around the world. Major travel brands including TripAdvisor and Booking.com have already committed to stop selling tickets to dolphin shows and encounters.
With Dolphin Marine Conservation Park (DMCP) in Coffs Harbour announcing last year they will end captive breeding, Sea World is now the only venue in Australia where this still takes place.
Breeding more dolphins that can live up to 50 years is unjustifiable...