Parc Asterix has decided to close its dolphinarium. However, dolphins and sea lions will not be entitled to a deserved retirement and will be transferred to other European dolphinariums.
A half-hearted news. Parc Astérix has finally made the decision to close its dolphinarium. An aquarium where sea lions, dolphins and even orcas are bred and trained, with the aim of putting on a show. "This decision to close the dolphinarium is based on the Park's desire to focus on its historic activity as an amusement park", affirms the company in a press release, relayed by FranceInfo this Monday, January 25, 2021. This attraction, present since the beginnings of the park in 1989, will no longer have its place among the activities of our Gallic friends and this, from its reopening scheduled for April 3, 2021. "We have been thinking about it for several years. I would even say that the decision was taken three years ago.", said Nicolas Kremer, the general manager of the park in the Parisian.
Problem, the 8 dolphins and 5 sea lions in the park will be transferred to other dolphinariums in Europe … In short, the animals leave one dolphinarium for another. The park ensures for its part that these European dolphinariums "meet the best animal welfare criteria". "This is the solution, developed with the European Association of Aquatic Mammals, which appeared to be the best to ensure them good living conditions. Reintroduction into the natural environment is impossible for these animals bred in captivity. We have chosen the Europe, because we know that other countries in the world do not offer the same guarantees ", explained the boss of Asterix to Parisian. The transfer of delphinids will take place in the first quarter of 2021.
Dolphinariums vs the animal cause
This closure follows the announcements in September 2020 by the Minister of Ecological Transition Barbara Pompili, who had pledged to put an end to dolphinaria. "unsuitable" and captive breeding of dolphins. Tuesday January 26, 2021, "well-being of captive wildlife" and its ban will be considered by the National Assembly, a chapter of the Animal Abuse Act.
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In October 2019, the international organization World Animal Protection (WAP) estimated the number of captive dolphins in the world at 3,029. Nearly 355 sites were doing their business on cetaceans in captivity and those in 58 countries. China, Japan, the United States, Mexico and Russia held more than 60% of captive dolphins. This report reminded us of the unsuitability of these species for life in captivity. A few dolphins are locked in enclosures at sea, but 66% of them live in pools designed primarily for the visitor, and not for the comfort of the animal. Faced with the arguments of dolphinariums who say they contribute to the conservation of species, public education and research, the NGO puts forward the various physical and mental health problems suffered by these dolphins and other cetaceans (deafening music during shows , permanent stress …). According to the organization, a dolphin alone brings in between 400,000 dollars (330,000 euros) and 2 million dollars (1.7 million euros) per year. A real livelihood for the tourism industry. Only Chile, the United Kingdom, Hungary and Australia have banned dolphinariums. When will France?