From: "Saved by Windows Internet Explorer 8" Subject: Tide turning on aquariums Date: Mon, 15 Jun 2009 09:39:45 -0700 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: multipart/related; type="text/html"; boundary="----=_NextPart_000_0000_01C9ED9D.37725D20" X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.0.6001.18049 This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_0000_01C9ED9D.37725D20 Content-Type: text/html; charset="utf-8" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Location: http://www.vancouversun.com/opinion/Tide+turning+aquariums/1693227/story.html =EF=BB=BF
Re: Turning the tide at the Vancouver Aquarium, by Shelley Fralic, = front=20 page, June 9
Shelley Fralic gives the Vancouver Aquarium credit for initiatives = that=20 organizations have undertaken for years without captive wildlife. Beach=20 cleanups, establishment of marine protected areas, promoting sustainable = foods=20 and more has been done by many, many NGOs, businesses and government=20 agencies.
The aquarium's slick public relations and marketing led it to press = the green=20 buttons to survive.
Its imprisonment of orcas hasn't taught people to respect marine = mammals and=20 to protect oceans. Rather, we can thank the organizations that oppose = captivity=20 for educating the public about the plight of animals in the aquarium and = in the=20 wild. In addition, nature films gave people true insight into complex=20 ecosystems.
What has the aquarium taught its customers? Judging by the oohing and = aahing=20 at the beluga birth, obviously not respect. Just dominance over other = species=20 for selfish amusement. Aquariums and zoo menager-ies are part of a = species-ist=20 past. The turning tide must be to protect wildlife in its natural = habitats.
Peter Hamilton
Lifeforce, Vancouver