M2 Communications - A 50 ft whale will be beached in Trafalgar Square on Thursday, 17 July 1997 to launch a massive campaign to stop the capture and use of Orca whales in marine parks around the world.
Of 134 Orcas taken into captivity in recent years. ninety-eight of them are now dead. In captivity, these majestic animals only survive an average of five years, never reaching the average of 50 for females and 29 years for males in the wild.
Every year millions of people flock to see ill, frustrated Orcas in cramped, manufactured seawater tanks, performing sad circus tricks in marine parks around the world unaware of the effects this has on the whales themselves.
The ten year-old Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS) - the world's biggest charity dedicated to the conservation, welfare and preservation of whales - is now calling for possible release for every Orca whale in captivity and a total ban on the capture of more whales for marine parks around the world.
The WDCS is launching a campaign urging people to boycott marine parks and calling on world governments to introduce legislation to ban the capture of Orcas.
The launch in Trafalgar Square is expected to draw huge crowds to see the 50ft long, 12ft tall inflatable whale. Supporters of the campaign will be able to step inside this huge beached animal, to learn about the campaign.
The WDCS has not only received widespread support from prominent conservationists, but also massive support from UK businesses. In an unprecedented move, the Advertising, Media and Public Relations industry, led by London Bridge based Clark & Taylor, has created, produced, and will air an advertising campaign free of charge during the summer to raise the awareness of the plight of Orcas currently kept in Marine parks.
The campaign will feature cinema, television, bill-board and press advertisements across the country, all donated free to support the campaign.
Commenting on the plight of the world's 52 captive Orcas, Mr Chris Stroud, Director of Campaigns at WDCS said:
"It's not right to keep an Orca in a marine park. These beautiful mammals are taken from their natural habitats and families to suffer in swimming pools in the name of entertainment. We firmly believe that it is cruel to keep whales in captivity. They are animals of the open ocean, unsuited to life in small chlorinated tanks and pools. Captive animals suffer depression, psychological damage, mutilate themselves, and even commit suicide by refusing to breathe. It's not just a prison, it's a death sentence."
Simon Clark, Chairman of Clark & Taylor said:
"We need to put a stop to this mindless 'entertainment' and keep Orcas out of captivity. Clearly we feel strongly enough about this to donate our time and resources free. We hope our advertising campaign will help raise awareness of the conditions inflicted upon these Orcas and make people think twice about going to see these wild animals perform tricks in Marine parks."
Facts & Figures
WDCS aims to:
Prevent the extinction of any population of whale, dolphin or porpoise in the wild.
Monitor the conservation status of all whales, dolphins and porpoises world- wide.
Identify and secure adequate conservation measures for the most important sites for whales, dolphins and porpoises around the world.
Prevent suffering in individual whales, dolphins and porpoises.
Promote a world-wide interest in whales, dolphins and porpoises.