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MARINE WILDLIFE CAMPAIGNS
Westerlaken foundation actively finances campaigns against the captivity of sea animals like dolphins and turtles. We have an ongoing anti-captivity campaign, which can be downloaded below. Feel free to use and spread the message!
REPORT HARMFUL SITUATIONS OR STRANDINGS
Report any harmful situation (if needed anonymously) regarding marine wildlife by using the field on the right.
RED FLAGS
Signs that the facility may not be a legitimate sanctuary or rehab facility
Hereby are some tips for identifying whether a facility is a legitimate sanctuary or rehab facility for dolphins or not:
If a facility:
- offers photo ops
- offers paid interactions and scheduled activities
- allows dolphins to be touched and kissed and lets dolphins do tricks such as splashing or 'playing with a ball.'
- has a strong focus on education and conservation in marketing while also offering photo ops, paid interactions and scheduled activities, touching, kissing, and tricks
- has a scientific program or rescue program while offering photo ops, paid interactions and scheduled activities, touching, kissing, and tricks
- 'rescues' stranded whales and dolphins but doesn't focus on immediate release as the best solution but takes the animal to the captive center instead
- claims that the dolphins are rescued but cannot offer any documentation or proof for this rescue (most heard story" 'saved by fisherman') and keeps these rescued animals in a pool to entertain tourists instead of focusing on rehabilitation and release
- has a breeding program
then the facility is not a sanctuary or rehab center but a facility that keeps dolphins for financial gain.
Sanctuaries do not require the participation of rescued dolphins in shows or force human interactions, which can cause stress for the animals, such as described above.
CAMPAIGNS WORK