First Post-Mortem Findings Released Following Dolphin and Beluga Deaths
New findings have emerged following the deaths of Jelly Bean, a beluga, and Echo, a dolphin, at Oceanogràfic Valencia.
Both animals died in September, just weeks after being transferred from the closed Marineland Canada facility. Post-mortem examinations have now identified significant abnormalities affecting Jelly Bean's heart, thyroid and adrenal glands. Echo's examination revealed inflammation in her brain consistent with a possible parasitic infection. Investigators believe some of these conditions may have developed before the animals arrived in Spain. Further testing is underway, and neither death has been attributed to transportation. Their deaths are among several involving whales and dolphins recently transferred between marine parks. These animals were born into a system that confines them, controls their lives and transfers them between facilities when circumstances change. The solution cannot simply be finding another aquarium willing to take them.
Spain must end cetacean breeding, trade and commercial captivity, while developing genuine sanctuary alternatives for animals who cannot return to the wild. More than 8,600 people have signed our petition. Please keep sharing it.
You may also be interested in our latest petition: NORWAY: BAN WHALING
Thank you for your support.