Morrissey: Jet2holidays must cut ties to marine parks over orcas and dolphins
Morrissey: Jet2holidays must cut ties to marine parks over orcas and dolphins https://t.co/Evp9wtRYi3
- Guardian news (@guardiannews) July 11, 2023
Morrissey has sent a letter to Jet2holidays, urging the tour operator to sever its ties with marine parks that continue to exploit captive orcas and dolphins for entertainment purposes.
In a letter addressed to Steve Heapy, the CEO of Jet2, Morrissey said that these animals rightfully belong in the open ocean, and that confining them to cramped and artificial concrete tanks deprives them of natural behaviors.
He also highlighted premature orca deaths in recent years at Loro Parque-a zoo located in Tenerife. This location was, in fact, featured in the 2013 documentary Blackfish.
The zoo itself is endorsed and ticketed by Jet2holidays on its website, and several distressing incidents have been reported there too.
Skyla, an orca, passed away in March 2021 at the age of 17, followed by Ula just weeks later, who was merely two years old.
Furthermore, Kohana, another orca, met her demise in September 2022 at the age of 20.
Bottlenose dolphins are also reported to be confined within an enclosure at the marine park that is significantly smaller than the adjacent car park.
An excerpt from Morrisey's letter:
“Day in and day out, these animals can do little else but swim in endless circles. They’re even forced to perform demeaning tricks in exchange for food. Anyone who thinks that’s entertainment needs to get their head checked. And anyone who profits from this abuse should be ashamed.”
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