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Radisson Seven Seas Cruises will no longer offer dolphin encounter programs in any of its ports of call. The line says it is "advocating for responsible ecological practices, and taking a stand against the wanton capture and use of marine mammals for the amusement of travelers." The luxury cruise line supports the World Society for the Protection of Animals' worldwide campaign to halt dolphin encounter operations, and, through its onboard environmental education programs in partnership with Jean-Michel Cousteau's Ocean Futures Society, encourages guests to become responsible environmental citizens. "Sadly, under the guise of communing with nature or advancing our scientific understanding, dolphin encounter programs too often overlook the way dolphins actually exist and interact with each other in the wild, rather than respecting their natural place in the marine ecosystem," said Darius Mehta, director of land programs for Radisson Seven Seas. "While some parks may obtain dolphins legally, many use illegal and cruel means to capture these magnificent animals. While we will continue to employ programs that allow our guests the wonderful experience of observing dolphins in the wild, we're opposed to those that interfere with dolphins' natural behavior." Radisson Seven Seas and Ocean Futures Society say they share a commitment to inspire deeper knowledge of the world's oceans and to work to end cruelty to marine life with its adverse impact on the environment. "We should enjoy the abundant variety of marine life as it moves about and inhabits its own environment -- without imposing artificial means on sea creatures to make them interact or 'perform' for people," Cousteau said. "Capturing marine mammals for the purpose of orchestrating structured encounters with humans or to display them in unnatural circumstances is unethical, puts them at risk and interferes with their natural and appropriate life cycles." Cousteau said he supports and commends Radisson Seven Seas for "making a vital and forceful statement to the travel and tourism industry that these encounter programs should be avoided at all costs." For more information, visit www.oceanfutures.org or www.rssc.com.
I can't say I disagree, being of an environmentalist persuasion.
[ 07-19-2005: Message edited by: BigUFan ]
In Antigua, they offer a "Stingray City" experience that my family went to (I would not go because it's not right) in which the stingrays have been imported into the area and are held in basically a large cage so they cannot leave the area. They actually have underwater fencing that goes around this sand bar area so the stingray cannot leave....this is inhumane and my family that went on this excursion thought they were going to get a Cayman "Stingray" natural experience...they were extremely disappointed...
When I first visited America, many years ago, I was surprised how common place performing animals were at many of the theme parks and Zoo’s etc.
Even sitcom’s like ‘Friends’ had to have a token Duck and a Monkey. One of the leading American pop-stars even had a pet Chimpanzee!
Unfortunately the appeal of performing animals will not stop while people still pay to see them. Only when mass market cruise lines like RCI and Carnival stop offering such excursions will the practice decline.
[ 07-19-2005: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]
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