Chimelong controversially opens China's first orca breeding facility
POSTED 03 Mar 2017 . BY Tom Anstey
Animal rights groups have long objected to the practice of whale captivity and breeding
Despite growing sentiment worldwide that large sea creatures – particularly cetaceans – should not be kept in captivity, China’s Chimelong Group has opened the country’s first breeding centre for killer whales in the city of Zhuhai.
Nine whales aged between five to 13 are being kept at the facility, which Chimelong say will “help cultivate the public’s awareness of whale protection, develop related studies, and progress toward killer-whale breeding.”
Animal rights groups such as People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and The Orca Project have long objected to the practice of whale captivity and breeding, arguing that captive orcas generally have a shorter lifespan than their wild counterparts and that many whales are driven mad while in captivity.
According to the Born Free Foundation, more than 2,100 dolphins and whales are being held in captivity at 343 facilities in 63 countries around the world, the majority in Japan, China, the US, Russia and Mexico.
Twelve countries have placed outright bans on orca captivity, as have a number of US states, while some countries such as Britain have standards so strict it is “nearly impossible” to keep captive cetaceans. SeaWorld has been at the forefront of the orca controversy, with the operator promising last year to end its orca breeding practice stemming from the backlash from the release of Blackfish in 2013.
Despite this Chimelong is pushing on with its orca plans, debuting its new “Killer Whale Breeding Base”, which has employed a team of 30 people to take care of the animals, offering round the clock care to the orcas.
In addition, the base will also regularly invite domestic and foreign veterinary experts and animal experts to visit the breeding centre, to help assist in the development of health care monitoring and treatment.
SeaWorld will take the next big step in its company-wide evolution this Sunday (8
January), with its San Diego park hosting its last theatrical orca show, a staple of the
entertainment giant for many decades.
SeaWorld has finally confirmed the location for its Middle Eastern attraction, announcing a
partnership with Miral to develop SeaWorld Abu Dhabi – a first-of-its-kind marine theme
park on Yas Island.
California has brought a ruling into place banning the breeding of orcas and orca
entertainment shows in the state, with the new measure signed into law this week by
governor Jerry Brown.
Off the back of the success of the first round of Everyday Heritage Grants in 2022, Historic
England is funding 56 creative projects that honour the heritage of working-class England.
Universal has revealed it will be adding new Harry Potter attractions, alongside Super Nintendo
and How to Train Your Dragon worlds to its Florida resort.
Chimelong controversially opens China's first orca breeding facility
POSTED 03 Mar 2017 . BY Tom Anstey
Animal rights groups have long objected to the practice of whale captivity and breeding
Despite growing sentiment worldwide that large sea creatures – particularly cetaceans – should not be kept in captivity, China’s Chimelong Group has opened the country’s first breeding centre for killer whales in the city of Zhuhai.
Nine whales aged between five to 13 are being kept at the facility, which Chimelong say will “help cultivate the public’s awareness of whale protection, develop related studies, and progress toward killer-whale breeding.”
Animal rights groups such as People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and The Orca Project have long objected to the practice of whale captivity and breeding, arguing that captive orcas generally have a shorter lifespan than their wild counterparts and that many whales are driven mad while in captivity.
According to the Born Free Foundation, more than 2,100 dolphins and whales are being held in captivity at 343 facilities in 63 countries around the world, the majority in Japan, China, the US, Russia and Mexico.
Twelve countries have placed outright bans on orca captivity, as have a number of US states, while some countries such as Britain have standards so strict it is “nearly impossible” to keep captive cetaceans. SeaWorld has been at the forefront of the orca controversy, with the operator promising last year to end its orca breeding practice stemming from the backlash from the release of Blackfish in 2013.
Despite this Chimelong is pushing on with its orca plans, debuting its new “Killer Whale Breeding Base”, which has employed a team of 30 people to take care of the animals, offering round the clock care to the orcas.
In addition, the base will also regularly invite domestic and foreign veterinary experts and animal experts to visit the breeding centre, to help assist in the development of health care monitoring and treatment.
SeaWorld will take the next big step in its company-wide evolution this Sunday (8
January), with its San Diego park hosting its last theatrical orca show, a staple of the
entertainment giant for many decades.
SeaWorld has finally confirmed the location for its Middle Eastern attraction, announcing a
partnership with Miral to develop SeaWorld Abu Dhabi – a first-of-its-kind marine theme
park on Yas Island.
California has brought a ruling into place banning the breeding of orcas and orca
entertainment shows in the state, with the new measure signed into law this week by
governor Jerry Brown.
Off the back of the success of the first round of Everyday Heritage Grants in 2022, Historic
England is funding 56 creative projects that honour the heritage of working-class England.
Universal has revealed it will be adding new Harry Potter attractions, alongside Super Nintendo
and How to Train Your Dragon worlds to its Florida resort.
Populous have unveiled their plans for a state-of-the-art e-sports arena, designed to stand as a
central landmark in Qiddaya City’s gaming and e-sports district, Saudi Arabia.