Born Free Foundation dolphinaria campaign (c) George Logan
Could Virgins Commitment Hasten The End Of Captive Dolphin Exploitation?
7 years ago 
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Born Free welcomes Virgin Holidays’ efforts to influence change in how whales and dolphins are used for entertainment purposes
International wildlife charity, Born Free Foundation has today welcomed the publication of Virgin Holiday’s statement outlining the travel company’s new policy position on captive whales, dolphins and porpoises (collectively known as cetaceans).
Key commitments include:
- A decision to no longer sell or promote any new attractions or hotels that feature captive whales and dolphins for entertainment purposes.
- Ensuring that existing facilities displaying captive cetaceans, contracted by Virgin Holidays, meet the highest animal welfare standards.
- Encouraging existing facilities to change their current exploitative practices.
- Supporting the creation of coastal sanctuaries for whales and dolphins and promoting conservation in their natural habitats.
- Endorsing international co-operation to end the capture of wild cetaceans and discouraging the building of new attractions where cetaceans will be used for theatrical or contact purposes.
“Virgin Holidays’ decision to lead the travel industry away from the exploitation of captive whales and dolphins for entertainment purposes and towards a future where these highly intelligent animals are better protected in the wild, is a potential game-changer,” said Daniel Turner, Associate Director of Tourism and EU Compliance at the Born Free Foundation. “The keeping of whales and dolphins in captivity, their use in theatrical performances and contact sessions, and their confinement in barren tanks, is no longer supported by science, nor accepted by an increasingly concerned public.”
Public attitudes towards the keeping and exploitation of cetaceans in captivity are changing, a fact acknowledged by Virgin Holidays in today’s announcement.
In 2014, a public opinion poll commissioned by Born Free indicated that 86% of British people surveyed would not visit dolphinaria as part of their holiday experience.
In March 2016, SeaWorld announced that the current orcas (killer whales) in its facilities would be the last, whilst in June 2016, the Baltimore Aquarium stated it would cease dolphin shows and relocate its bottlenose dolphins to a seaside sanctuary by 2020.
Similar changes have happened in Europe: Särkänniemi dolphinarium in Tampere, Finland, closed in 2016 due to falling public attendance; and Barcelona Zoo has acknowledged its facility is no longer appropriate for dolphins and is considering sending its four bottlenose dolphins to a sanctuary.
Virgin Holidays’ support for the creation of seaside sanctuaries is potentially ground-breaking. Coastal refuges are seen as the most progressive alternative to keeping dolphins in barren tanks. Born Free and its partners are currently considering the viability of a number of plans to create seaside sanctuaries in different locations around the world as part of its #SanctuariesNotTanks campaign.
Born Free has been working with Virgin Holidays and other mainstream tour operators for over 10 years, championing the need for greater respect for animals used in tourism activities. The announcement by Virgin Holiday is testament to the importance of this constructive engagement with the travel sector which promotes higher animal welfare standards and an end to practices that are known to severely compromise the welfare and survival of animals.
Will Travers OBE, President of Born Free, said: “Our relationship with whales and dolphins is rapidly changing. The days of keeping these incredible creatures in captivity for life in captive animal attractions are numbered. I welcome the fact that Virgin Holidays has nailed its colours to the mast and is encouraging new thinking. Born Free is keen to collaborate to create a fresh vision that combines fantastic tourism experiences, based on respect and compassion, with securing a future where wild cetaceans can thrive in their natural habitat for generations to come.”
Born Free’s #SanctuariesNotTanks campaign: http://bit.ly/SanctuariesNotTanks
Virgin Holidays’ statement: https://www.virginholidays.co.uk/cetaceans
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