Are Seaquarium Animals Harmed by Excessive Partying?

http://www.thelocal.ch/national/20111110_1730.html

The Local – Dolphin dies after Swiss techno party

www.thelocal.ch

A dolphin has died at a Swiss amusement park just weeks after conservationists warned that loud noises could cause extreme distress to the cetaceans at a dolphinarium in the eastern town of Lipperswil.

http://worldradio.ch/wrs/news/wrsnews/second-dolphin-dies-at-conny-land.shtml?27545

WRS | Second dolphin dies at Conny-Land (after techno party)

www.worldradio.ch

Animal rights groups have called for three remaining dolphins to be seized from the Conny-Land amusement park in canton Thurgau following the death of the second dolphin there in under a week.

loud noises for prolonged periods of time can cause elevated levels of stress which can lower cetaceans immune system response and essentially lead to sickness and/or death.

Who to contact:

The White Party: http://whiteparty.org/contact

MIAMI-DADE OFFICE:
3510 Biscayne Boulevard
Miami, Florida 33137
Tel: 305-576-1234
Fax: 305-571-2020

BROWARD OFFICE:
871 West Oakland Park Boulevard
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33311
Tel: 954-567-7141
Fax: 954-565-5624

Politely tell the entertainment that playing this show may harm animals:

DJ Joe Gauthreaux: http://www.facebook.com/DJJoeG

DJ Pagano: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dj-Pagano/104939349545326

JES: http://www.myspace.com/planetjes

Key Biscayne Chamber of Commerce

88 West McIntyre Street, Suite 100

Key Biscayne, FL 33149

Phone. 305.361.5207

Fax. 305.361.9411

info@keybiscaynechamber.org

USDA APHIS Animal Care: ace@aphis.usda.gov
USDA/APHIS/AC
4700 River Road, Unit 84
Riverdale, MD 20737-1234
Ph: 301-734-7833 Fax: 301-734-4978

Animal Welfare Information Center: awic@nal.usda.gov
10301 Baltimore Ave.
Beltsville, MD 20705-2351
Ph: 301-504-6212
Fax: 301-504-7125

Key Biscayne Police/Public Safety Direct Non-Emergency Line: (305) 365-5555

I would like to remind you we cannot “attack” this White Party, just nicely try our best to inform them on the perils that can arise from throwing this party at the SQ. What they do for HIV/Aids awareness is great, but they don’t need to harm the SQ animals in the process.  Kindly urge people who would like to support the cause to send in donations, but don’t attend the party.

Mark Baker Events:

wonderworld@markbakerevents.com

Care Resources:

Administrative Office
3510 Biscayne Boulevard
Miami, Florida 33137
TEL: 305-576-1234 – FAX: 305-571-2020

A informative demonstation will be held all night during the event, you can get more info and sign up to attend here:

http://www.facebook.com/events/175908975836793/?notif_t=event_invite

Minimum and maximum distances of White Party stage to animal enclosures, according to Google Earth: Lolita’s Tank-min 683ft max 894ft, Top Deck Dolphin Tank-min 484ft max 638ft, Sealion/Seal Dome- min 250ft max 478ft, Manatee Pool-min 611ft max 852ft, Rear Medical Pools-min 116ft max 380ft. All enclosures listed are within a distance of disturbance which COULD lead to elevated stress levels and immune system suppression of animals.

WHY:

September 23rd is the day Lolita, the lonely orca, was ripped away fromher family, sold into captivity, and shipped from her home in the wild to arrive at the Miami Seaquarium on Sept 24th. It is also the last day of the International Animal Trainers’ Association (IMATA) Conference in Miami, hosted by the Miami Seaquarium.

Lolita has been living in an illegal-sized tank at the Miami Seaquarium for the last 40 years at a facility that is widely considered one of the most dilapidated in the U.S. and has no AAZA Accreditation, the minimum industry standard. And yet, the Miami Seaquarium now also houses a ‘Swim-with-Dolphins’ program.

We support the 3 R’s of Responsible Captivity: Rescue, Rehab, and Release only!

We invite Miami residents, activists from everywhere, and the media to come out and support this cause.

And we are, once again, seeking CITY CAPTAINS around the world to host simultaneous events. All events will be listed at www.SaveLolita.com and fliers/posters will be provided electronically. JOIN US!

Portland, OR:
Sat, Sept. 24 noon-2 pm
Waterfront Park/Market Entrance
City Captain, Rae Benson
[https://www.facebook.com/raemarie.wilson]

San Francisco, CA:
Sun, Sept. 18 noon- 3 pm
Union Square
City Captain, Wendy Brunot
[https://www.facebook.com/Withoutmethereisnoyou]
Event page: https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=1669246833665?07

San Diego, CA:
Sat, Sept. 24 10 am – 2 pm
Sea World
City Captain, James Madison
Event page: https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=2136752019950?34

ECOTERRA Intl. and ECOP-marine
Maria Delgado
September 23rd
South Africa
africanode@ecoterra.net (for details)

Pat Rasmussen
Olympia, WA USA
Park on Water Street, across the street from Traditions Café
10 AM to 2 PM
Contact: patr@crcwnet.com
Cell phone: 509-669-1549

Diane McNally
Victoria, BC, Canada
Intersection of Government and View Street (by Irish Times)
http://maps.google.ca/maps?q=victoria%2Bbc&spn=.563567,1.292885&hl=en
September 24th, 12 – 2pm
Will provide flyers to hand out
freecaptiveorcas@gmail.com

Andrea Gauzza-Langlie
Baltimore, Maryland
Saturday, September 24th from 11AM-1PM
On the plaza in front of the Baltimore (National) Aquarium. Make and bring a poster if you like. Fliers are not allowed to be handed out. I will be painting a picture of Orcas.
(cancelled in the event of rain)
andrea@langlie.com
Cell number# 301-641-4606

Kyrstyn Proie (my little sister)
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Saturday September 24th 12-2PM
Point State Park, meet at the fountain
saveouroceansnow@gmail.com

Shelby Proie
Seattle, Washington
September 24th 12-2PM

Victor Steinbrueck Park (next to Pike Place Market)

Shelby@savelolita.com

Gina Gaft
Key West, Florida
Saturday September 24th 6-8pm
Mallory Square for sunset
ginagaft@gmail.com
Contact Krystin@earthrace.net to become a City Captain in your area!

Gina Gaft
Key West, Florida
Saturday September 24th 6-8pm
Mallory Square for sunset
(Gina Gaft on Facebook for more info)

GOALS:
END ENTERTAINMENT CAPTIVITY EVERYWHERE -
We support the 3R’s of Responsible Marine Mammal Captivity: Rescue, Rehab, and Release only!

LOLITA’S RETIREMENT -
In collaboration with Orca Network (www.orcanetwork.org), We strive to see Lolita retired to a sea pen in her native Pacific North West waters where she will be taken care of for the rest of her life unless she chooses to rejoin her pod still residing in her natal waters.

AMEND IMATA ‘CODE OF ETHICS’ FOR TRANSPARENCY
In collaboration with Earthrace Conservation and The Selkie Society, we also seek to have IMATA amend their own ‘Code of Ethics’ to include transparency as to the source of the animals their members work with. Please sign the petition to be delivered to IMATA’s President: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/IMATA-Improve-Your-Code-of-Ethics-to-Protect-Dolphins/

WHAT TO BRING:
Printed fliers, banners, T-shirts, costumes, musical instruments, friends, family and a positive attitude.

PARKING:
Please do not park in the Miami Seaquarium parking lot (or the parking lot of any facility that holds marine mammals captive for entertainment); there is usually parking within walking distance of the protest.

-Thank you, The Orca Project for this information:
It is anticipated that Federal Judge Ben Welch will be asked to to sign a “Protective Order” for the Sea World vs OSHA hearing, effectively sealing off this case forever.  This has been the typical protocol for SeaWorld in past cases regarding employee injuries, and it’s expected to follow the same route in this investigation into the tragic death of Dawn Brancheau nearly one year ago.  The proceedings before Judge Welch in Orlando, FL, originally scheduled to begin this Monday, February 14, 2011 have been rescheduled to April 25, 2011, in Orlando, FL.

You can contact, United States Department of Labor, which apparently will also link you to Secretary Hilda Solis FaceBook page. Solis is at the top of OSHA’s chain of command. http://www.facebook.com/departmentoflabor?ref=ts

You can also write on Secretary Hilda Solis’s wall. http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1712614173462&id=1175597100#!/hildasolis

sign the petition here: http://www.change.org/petitions/seaworld-stop-pressuring-osha-to-have-closed-hearings

Or write:

-

Most Honorable Secretary of Labor

Hilda L. Solis

U.S. Department of Labor

200 Constitution Ave., NW

Washington, DC 20210

(202) 693-6000

Re: OSHA vs. SeaWorld Order

We respectfully request that you allow the public to hear the outcome of this tragedy and not have the public be banned from hearing about the case.

According to a reliable source, federal Judge Ben Welch is preparing to sign a “Proposed Protective Order” for the Sea World vs OSHA hearing scheduled to begin 25 April 2011, in Orlando, FL, effectively sealing off this case forever.

This order will bar the public from participating in this hearing, and seal all content, including expert witness testimony, and documentation describing the suboptimal conditions associated with orca captivity. Expert witnesses who participate in this trial (if this attempt to seal is successful) will not be allowed to discuss or write anything about it, publicly. The family of the victims should be vindicated and we respectfully submit a request that YOU DO NOT APPROVE THIS ORDER.

It will also prevent content from being used for future litigation or investigation, essentially closing it, akin to the John Sillick tragedy of November of 1987.

Respectfully submitted,

[Your name]

-This hearing could determine the future of keeping orcas in captivity for entertainment purposes, so it directly affects Lolita and the Miami Seaquarium.  The Seaquarium has much less resources and money than SeaWorld does so please take the time to send the above letter and help play a part in a revolution that has been brewing for many years!

Tram: 8th St. Station (Brickell loop)
get off of tram and walk WEST on 8th street for a block and you will see Japanese Consulate on the left

Parking: 8th St. has a strip mall called “Brickell Markplace” which I’m told has plenty of free parking less than a block away from the consulate.  It is located East of the consulate on the left side of the street.

Also paid street parking is available but limited.

Hosted By: Save Japan Dolphins and Oceanic Defense

ASIA PACIFIC:

Leilani Munter-Taiji, Japan

leilani@leilanimunter.com

We know that Miami Seaquarium is pursuing a 3-5 million dollar claim against BP to upgrade/update their filtration system as water may become contaminated from the Gulf spill. Miami Seaquarium and its owners Andrew and Arthur Hertz have no plans for the wellbeing of Lolita or their other marine life, including 30 dolphins, about 15 seals/sea lions, dozens of reptiles, fish, sea turtles, and at least eight manatees. They are merely interested in protecting their profits. These animals will be in grave danger if they are not moved or protected immediately. It is time to tell United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) & Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to enforce the laws and regulations of the Animal Welfare Act.

Please cut and paste the following letter, sign your name and send to the email addresses shown below. Feel free to edit, personalize & share any way you see fit. Thank you for your support! Special thanks to John Kielty for writing this entry.

Send to:
USDA-APHIS-Animal Care: ace@aphis.usda.gov
USDA-APHIS-Animal Care East: aceast@aphis.usda.gov
USDA-APHIS-Policy & Programs: aphis.web@aphis.usda.gov
Abbey Shaffer- Legislative Teams Leader: abbey.l.shaffer@aphis.usda.gov
Christopher Needham- Legislative Affairs Specialist: christopher.needham@aphis.usda.gov
James Ivy- USDA-APHIS: james.c.ivy@aphis.usda.gov
Bethany Jones- Deputy Administrator of Legislative and Public Affairs: bethany.x.jones@aphis.usda.gov
Edward Avalos- Under Secretary for Marketing & Regulatory Programs: ed.avalos@usda.gov
Kathleen Merrigan- Deputy Secretary of Agriculture: kathleen.merrigan@usda.gov
Tom Vilsak- Secretary of Agriculture: agsec@usda.gov

Comma separated if you’d prefer a single bulk mailing:
ace@aphis.usda.gov,aceast@aphis.usda.gov,aphis.web@aphis.usda.gov,abbey.l.shaffer@aphis.usda.gov,christopher.needham@aphis.usda.gov,bethany.x.jones@aphis.usda.gov,ed.avalos@usda.gov,kathleen.merrigan@usda.gov,agsec@usda.gov,james.c.ivy@aphis.usda.gov

Also, please cut and paste this letter into the contact forms of these Senators:
Senator Maria Cantwell: http://cantwell.senate.gov/contact/
Senator Patty Murray: http://murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=ContactMe
Senator Bill Nelson of Florida: http://billnelson.senate.gov/contact/email.cfm

RE: Miami Seaquarium disaster contingency plan & safety for orca Lolita

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
Animal Care (AC)

To whom this may concern:

As you may be aware, Andrew Hertz, General Manager of Miami Seaquarium, a small aquarium in Miami, Florida, has recently stated his intention to file a $3 to $5 million dollar claim against BP citing his requirement to upgrade the marine park’s filtration system should the waters of Biscayne Bay become contaminated from oil resulting from the Deep Water Horizon incident in the Gulf of Mexico (www.justnews.com/news/23910898/detail.html). By this action, the Hertz family has admittedly demonstrated that they are not prepared, equipped or otherwise capable of carrying out a disaster contingency plan to provide emergency sources of water and/or arrangements for relocating marine mammals as is required by APHIS Regulation 9 CFR section 3.101(b). The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts an 80% chance that the oil will hit the Miami area in August and I am deeply concerned the Miami Seaquarium wildlife is in jeopardy. In addition to Killer Whale Lolita the lives of 30 dolphins, about 15 seals and sea lions, dozens of reptiles/fish, sea turtles, and at least eight manatees are in peril. Your immediate action is required to ensure their safety.

Should the Hertz family be successful in securing funds for this major reconstruction effort, it is my contention that Miami Seaquarium be required by USDA-APHIS to bring ALL provisions of animal welfare, including marine mammal housing size, into compliance with current APHIS Regulations under the Animal Welfare Act.

Since the brutal capture of killer whale (orca) Lolita in 1970, she has been kept in a tank that is illegal by current APHIS standards for space requirements as provided in Regulation 9 CFR section 3.104. Now 43 years old, Lolita is approximately 21 feet long and 7,000 pounds. Her tank is 20 feet deep at the deepest point, a mere 12 feet deep around the edges and 35 feet wide. Lolita’s life of misery in these substandard confines has continued long enough. The Hertz family has been profiting from Lolita’s exploitation for more than 40 years and the time has come to end her suffering and provide her the protection and quality of life she deserves. They should not be allowed to continue operating with no emergency contingency plans, under outdated regulations, and making piecemeal improvements aimed solely at protecting profits. Now is the time to act on Lolita’s behalf. Time is running out!

As a part of Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service at the USDA, I know that you are concerned with the future of marine mammals in captivity and the urgent crisis developing at the Miami Seaquarium. Please do your part and ensure immediate action is taken and provisions are provided that require Miami Seaquarium’s compliance with all current APHIS Regulations under the Animal Welfare Act for this emergency and any future construction and/or upgrades at their marine mammal park. If the Hertz family finds that complying with all current APHIS Regulations is not cost feasible, alternative viable solutions are under development to provide a safe retirement for Lolita in her native habitat in the Pacific Northwest. Details of this proposal can be found here: www.orcanetwork.org/captivity/2007proposaldraft.html. There are many wonderful people and knowledgeable organizations willing to work with the Miami Seaquarium and are ready and waiting to move forward with a rehabilitation/retirement plan for Lolita and the other animals, including dolphins, that may be in danger currently at Seaquarium.

Sincerely,
(Your name)

Taima was known for misbehaving and was sometimes aggressive to the other orcas. She was born at Sea World Orlando in 1989 to Gudrun (died 1996), a female orca captured from Iceland. Taima was about 18 feet long and over 6,500 pounds when she died. She is survived by three calves — Sumar, Tekoa, and Malia. Her youngest, Malia, is only 3 years old. Wild orcas remain with their mothers for life, so we’re hoping for the best for this little one.

Taima died at age 20. Keep in mind that many wild female orcas live well into their 60′s – and some live even longer than that! Please boycott marine parks, such as Sea World, Miami Seaquarium, Six Flags, etc. if you disagree with the practice of keeping large, intelligent marine mammals in captivity for human amusement.

Katina, a 35 year old killer whale at Sea World Orlando, is expected to give birth shortly to another of Tilikum’s calves.
Only time will tell what will happen to her.

Please consider buying or renting this fantastic documentary (available on iTunes, Netflix, and Amazon.com) to see for yourself the cruelty surrounding the hunt of 23,000 dolphins per year and the marine park captivity industry.

Copy and paste the URL’s into your URL bar to link:
iTunes: http://is.gd/5g2Ie
Netflix: http://www.netflix.com/Movie/The_Cove/70112741
Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/yzmufuf

“Academy Award® Award-winner for Best Documentary of 2009, THE COVE follows an elite team of activists, filmmakers and freedivers as they embark on a covert mission to penetrate a remote and hidden cove in Taiji, Japan, shining a light on a dark and deadly secret. Utilizing state-of-the-art techniques, including hidden microphones and cameras in fake rocks, the team uncovers how this small seaside village serves as a horrifying microcosm of massive ecological crimes happening worldwide. The result is a provocative mix of investigative journalism, eco-adventure and arresting imagery, adding up to an unforgettable story that has inspired audiences worldwide to action. THE COVE is directed by Louie Psihoyos and produced by Paula DuPré Pesmen and Fisher Stevens.”
^ Text from www.TheCoveMovie.com

If you liked THE COVE, you may also be interested in:
- Lolita: Slave to Entertainment (dolphin/orca captivity): http://tinyurl.com/yj8ww9u
- A Fall from Freedom (dolphin captivity): http://tinyurl.com/y9q9uss
- The End of the Line (about the fishing industry): http://tinyurl.com/yc6pamn
- Fowl Play (about the egg industry): http://tinyurl.com/yjlpfd5

*Please copy and paste the URL links below into your URL bar to link*

“Dear Ms. Mizuho Fukushima:

Scientific studies have demonstrated that dolphin and whale meat is highly toxic and not fit for human consumption, due to contamination from methylmercury, mercury, PCBs, and other poisons. Please prevent any further damage to the health of the Japanese people by banning the sale of dolphin and whale meat immediately.

Sincerely,

Your name and contact information.”

Please send your letter to:
Minister of the Consumer Affairs Agency
Ms. Mizuho Fukushima
Sanno Park Tower
2-11-1 Nagatacho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Japan 100-6178
Fax: +81-3-3500-4640
Keiko Ueda, legislative Aide to Ms. Mizuho Fukushima, Member of the House of Councillors, Social Democratic Party
E-mail:ukgo@jca.apc.org