PETITION CLOSED

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Shut Down Japanese Dolphin Shows
  1. Signatures
    744 out of 1,000
    Petitioning
    1. WAZA Executive Director (Gerald Dick)
  2. Created By
    Stephanie Feldstein
    Ypsilanti, MI
About this Petition Petition Letter Petition Updates

On July 4, 2010, a dolphin named Kuru was caught on video leaping out of her tank during a show at the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium. It's not the first time this has happened and the director of the dolphin area said she was "playing."

After seeing the video, Ric O'Barry, former dolphin trainer turned activist and star of the Oscar-winning documentary The Cove, said she "wanted to end it. Why does a person jump out of a building?"

Marine mammals shouldn't live their lives swimming circles around small tanks and performing tricks for human amusement.

There are approximately 500 dolphins being held captive in Japan's 50 dolphinariums. Most of them were captured during violend and deadly dolphin hunts. Many of these dolphinariums are members of the Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums (many, like Okinawa Churaumi, have even received awards from JAZA). Despite JAZA's complicity in the abuse of dolphins, both in tanks and in the waters around Japan, the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums welcomes them as members.

Tell the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums that it's time to stop the brutality and free dolphins like Kuru to sanctuaries.

Recent Signatures

Expel Japanese Dolphinariums and Save Japan's Dolphins from Abuse

Greetings,

In the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums Code of Ethics, it is stated that the industry should be "based on respect or the dignity of animals in our care." It is also stated that WAZA opposed "cruel and non-selective methods of taking animals from the wild" and that you support organizations in animal care and welfare.

I urge you to consider Japan's violations of the WAZA mission and Code of Ethics and expel the Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums from your membership.

Most of the approximately 500 dolphins held in Japan's 50 dolphinariums were captured during violent dolphin hunts. Many of these facilities are associated with dolphin slaughter, like the Taiji Whale Museum, of the Taiji village whose massive dolphin hunt was exposed in the recent documentary "The Cove." In 2005, WAZA issued a statement opposing the Japanese dolphin hunt, but no action was taken.

Recently, a dolphin at Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium named Kuru was caught on video leaping from her tank. The dolphin manager says it has happened before, which makes the facility dangerous for the dolphins. These intelligent creatures need more space than these small tanks and more stimulation than performing shows for human entertainment.

Please expel JAZA from your membership and help free dolphins like Kuru to the safety of ocean sanctuaries.

Sincerely,

[Your name]

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