Travel businesses have been warned they risk standing in defiance of the tide of public opinion if they don’t end the promotion and sale of attractions featuring captive cetaceans, such as whales, dolphins, orcas and porpoises.
Abta's guidance outlines the unacceptable practice having a photo with wild animals where the animal does not have the choice to end the interaction or move away (Credit: Born Free / Britta Jaschinski)
The UK-based Born Free Foundation said firms, particularly tour operators, "need to recognise the public is increasingly rejecting the idea that keeping cetaceans in captivity is an acceptable form of entertainment".
The foundation’s new consumer-facing "Tank Free" campaign is encouraging travellers to tell tour operators and travel organisers that are continuing to promote and/or sell captive cetacean attractions and activities to stop.
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