In a victory years in the making, Virgin Holidays announced it will stop selling tickets for tourism experiences involving the exploitation of captive whales and dolphins!
© iStock.com/BryanToroThe travel giant said it will end its partnership with notorious animal abusement parks such as SeaWorld and Discovery Cove.
PETA and our international affiliates have been calling for Sir Richard Branson’s company to stop selling trips to SeaWorld for years, collecting more than 300,000 signatures from supporters urging the travel provider to do the right thing. Branson says that the company’s decision is “the most significant milestone yet” on its journey to “drive positive change in the tourism industry.”
By cutting ties with places that hold orcas and other dolphins captive, Virgin Holidays joins an ever-growing list of travel companies that refuse to exploit animals.
Watery Prisons
At SeaWorld, orcas live in cramped, concrete tanks and are deprived of everything natural and important to them. With no physical or mental stimulation, they spend their days swimming in endless circles. More than 40 orcas and hundreds of other dolphins have died at SeaWorld parks from causes including severe trauma, intestinal gangrene, and chronic cardiovascular failure.
What You Can Do
It’s time for AAA to follow in the footsteps of Virgin Holidays and numerous other travel providers and sever ties with marine-mammal parks. Urge the company to stop selling tickets to SeaWorld today.
