Right now, travel company TUI is selling “dolphin shows” or experiences. These dolphins are kept in captivity - which is cruel and causing them a great deal of harm. That’s why we are urgently calling on TUI to stop selling or promoting any dolphin shows or experiences.

Other travel companies have already taken this step to stop ticket sales to venues with captive dolphins but TUI are still refusing to do so, and continue to make money from the suffering of dolphins.

Attractions with belugas, orcas, dolphins and other marine animals are available through TUI - some of the animals were captured from the ocean in Russia, Cuba, or Taiji in Japan. These wild-caught dolphins are then sold to parks having been torn away from their families. In Taiji, Japan the dolphins considered less attractive are slaughtered and sold as meat. Many of the dolphins destined for marine parks die in transit. The ones that survive are forced to perform degrading and pointless tricks in exchange for food for the rest of their lives. 

Dolphins are highly intelligent beings and in the wild, they live in large family groups, swimming up to 60 miles each day. In captivity for companies like TUI, they are confined in chemically-treated concrete pools that are 200,000 times smaller than their natural ocean home. Captive dolphins are often housed in isolation, or in incompatible groups, and because of the cramped conditions of their enclosures, they’re unable to escape conflicts. The stress weakens their immune systems making them prone to disease. Many dolphins develop painful conditions, such as stomach ulcers, and some die prematurely. Calves are removed from their mothers before they learn essential life skills, leading to an increase in infant mortality. 

These experiences are also not safe for humans. Illnesses can be passed from dolphins to human visitors, including viral, fungal, and bacterial infections such as salmonella. People have also been bitten and sustained broken bones during their swimming sessions. 

It’s a myth that dolphins which have been bred in captivity suffer less, but it’s simply not true. I'm working with the grassroots organisation Dolphin Freedom UK who are tirelessly campaigning to protect these beautiful creatures across the world. 

Please help us to stop dolphin exploitation by signing this petition.