We appeal to the government of Armenia to immediately halt construction of a dolphinarium in Komitas Park in Yerevan. The confinement of dolphins in this facility would be both inhumane and illegal. Many important Armenian figures are buried at the park therefore a dolphinarium at this site would also be culturally inappropriate.
It is our understanding that four bottlenose dolphins will be imported from Ukraine for the facility. Bottlenose dolphins are listed in Ukraine%u2019s Red Book of endangered animals and plants. We oppose the capture and confinement of cetaceans for the purpose of public entertainment.
During capture and confinement, which is often a violent affair, these wild marine mammals suffer shock and stress due to the manner in which they are ripped from their natural, dynamic, ecologically rich surroundings and housed in enclosed, sterile, unnatural environments. Dolphins in captivity often suffer from ulcers and act out aggressively towards conspecifics and humans. Captive dolphins have been injured and even killed in such interactions and people, including experienced trainers, have been injured.
Dolphins are wild animals and like other cetaceans, are highly intelligent, sentient creatures with complex societies. They use a form of biosonar, but in captivity their sonar bounces off the walls of their small, concrete tanks. Once confined in aquarium-type exhibits, the animals are not only denied their freedom, but they are also prevented from carrying out natural behaviors such as roaming over 40 miles per day, catching live prey and interacting with their pod mates.
The climate of Armenia is absolutely not suitable for dolphins or any other foreign marine life. Armenia has very hot, dry summers and harsh winters. Additionally the altitude of Armenia is drastically higher than that of Ukraine. These climatic and geographical factors could be very dangerous for the health of the dolphins and other marine mammals. It is impossible to meet the needs of dolphins in captivity generally, and in the proposed dolphinarium in Yerevan particularly.
In the case of the Komitas Park facility, the dolphins would share a meager tank – five meters deep and with a radius of 18 meters %u2013 with one sea lion and two seals. This is unacceptable, as it will undoubtedly adversely affect the mental and physical health of the animals.
Finally, we are disappointed that a project with the dolphin importer, Nerum Company, whose activities are highly controversial and possibly even illegal in Ukraine, was allowed to proceed. Many of the dolphins in Ukrainian facilities are believed not to have the proper documentation. These animals should have never received clearance for shipment to Armenia.
We urge Armenia to keep dolphin tanks out of the country and join the list of countries, including Chile, Cyprus and Costa Rica, who have taken a stand against such facilities. Keeping dolphins is very controversial worldwide for the reasons stated above; therefore, introducing such a facility in Armenia will bring negative international attention to the country. We therefore implore Armenia to consider the welfare of the dolphins, as well as the reputation of the country, and to immediately halt plans for a dolphin center in Yerevan.?
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After a decade long battle to fight trafficking, exploitation, and abuse in the Florida tomato industry, the largest tomato grower in Florida Six L’s has signed on to the Coalition of Immokalee Worker’s Fair Food Campaign. That means they agree to pay workers a penny more per pound of tomatoes picked and institute a Code of Conduct, which among other things will help prevent abuse and exploitation of workers. This change represents a huge victory for the Coalition of Immokalee Workers and everyone who has fought to end slavery in the tomato industry.
Everyone on the planet seems to know Christine O’Donnell’s thoughts on masturbation. She headed an “Anti-masturbation campaign” and spoke about it on MTV in 1996 on the television show “Sex in the 90’s”. Christine – who is running for Senator in the state of Delaware – has been a “gift” to comedians across the country as they debate on stage whether or not she was a “witch” (as she proclaimed on Bill Maher’s “Politically Incorrect”). As a comic, I am grateful to Christine for all that she has done to create laughs for this great country, but Christine is not the only political candidate in this mid-term election who appears to be more fiction than substance.
Recently, law enforcement agents, courageous survivors, and prosecutors came together to bring down one of the largest child prostitution rings in the country. But they couldn’t have done it without the help of local hotels which were used by pimps to sell and store their “products.” It’s a case that shows hotels can be heroes in preventing and reporting child prostitution.
It may seem like a topic only a toddler could love: a battle over the cost and contents of infant formula. But a recent bill involving the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Woman, Infants, Children (WIC) exemplifies the food industry’s aggressive lobbying and marketing tactics, which could leave the government footing an unnecessary $100 million bill, while ensuring many low-income families stay hungry.
Did you know that women serving our country overseas have fewer health-care choices than women here at home?