Miami Seaquarium: Provide Transparent Updates On The Welfare Of Your Animals
The Issue
CALL TO ACTION: Tokitae/Lolita and other animals at the Miami Seaquarium NEED YOUR VOICES NOW! Please sign and share this important petition to ensure that they are properly cared for! More information is available below.
Since the Miami Seaquarium announced the closure of its park due to the COVID-19 outbreak on March 13th, they have provided minimal updates regarding the welfare of their animals, including captured orca Tokitae/Lolita. The marine park stated on its webpage and through social media that its “professional team of trainers, animal care staff, aquarists and veterinary staff continue to provide uninterrupted care” for its animals. However, without any members of the public there to observe and document them, we have no idea about the wellbeing and welfare of Tokitae/Lolita and the other animals held in their facility.
This is very concerning, especially considering that strong evidence, which indicates orca are susceptible to the flu, exists (see the article by Tim Zimmerman). Additionally, coronavirus cases have been observed in bottlenose dolphins, although they were different strains than what has been designated as responsible for COVID-19.
In a similar call to action directed at Loro Parque, the Free Morgan Foundation stated that “the detection of COVID-19 virus in animals meets the criteria for reporting to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), through the OIE’s new World Animal Health Information System (WAHIS), in accordance with the OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code – as an emerging disease.” The same international reporting is required by the Miami Seaquarium.
We, the undersigned, demand that constant and transparent updates, that include photographs and video footage, on the welfare of Tokitae/Lolita and other animals at the Miami Seaquarium be made available to the public. Additionally, a 24/7 veterinary presence at the park is expected to effectively care for and respond to any animals in destress. Finally, for any animals found to have contracted COVID-19, the information should be reported to the appropriate authorities to help combat the spread, and aid in the investigative efforts, of this illness.
3,134
The Issue
CALL TO ACTION: Tokitae/Lolita and other animals at the Miami Seaquarium NEED YOUR VOICES NOW! Please sign and share this important petition to ensure that they are properly cared for! More information is available below.
Since the Miami Seaquarium announced the closure of its park due to the COVID-19 outbreak on March 13th, they have provided minimal updates regarding the welfare of their animals, including captured orca Tokitae/Lolita. The marine park stated on its webpage and through social media that its “professional team of trainers, animal care staff, aquarists and veterinary staff continue to provide uninterrupted care” for its animals. However, without any members of the public there to observe and document them, we have no idea about the wellbeing and welfare of Tokitae/Lolita and the other animals held in their facility.
This is very concerning, especially considering that strong evidence, which indicates orca are susceptible to the flu, exists (see the article by Tim Zimmerman). Additionally, coronavirus cases have been observed in bottlenose dolphins, although they were different strains than what has been designated as responsible for COVID-19.
In a similar call to action directed at Loro Parque, the Free Morgan Foundation stated that “the detection of COVID-19 virus in animals meets the criteria for reporting to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), through the OIE’s new World Animal Health Information System (WAHIS), in accordance with the OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code – as an emerging disease.” The same international reporting is required by the Miami Seaquarium.
We, the undersigned, demand that constant and transparent updates, that include photographs and video footage, on the welfare of Tokitae/Lolita and other animals at the Miami Seaquarium be made available to the public. Additionally, a 24/7 veterinary presence at the park is expected to effectively care for and respond to any animals in destress. Finally, for any animals found to have contracted COVID-19, the information should be reported to the appropriate authorities to help combat the spread, and aid in the investigative efforts, of this illness.
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Petition created on April 15, 2020