Victory for Animals! India Bans Dolphinariums

India’s Ministry of Environment and Forests advised state governments to ban any entertainment that involves the capture and confinement of cetaceans, including dolphinariums. The Indian government has established that it is morally unacceptable to keep cetaceans (marine mammals, including whales, dolphins, and porpoises) for captive for entertainment purposes. Hell yeah, India!

This advisory means that India can kiss the new dolphin parks that had been planned in three major cities goodbye. When asked about a park planned in Kochi, the head of the Greater Cochin Development Authority confirmed that “[i]t is illegal now. It is over. We will not allow it anymore.”

The closure of dolphin parks should also increase interest in protecting the country’s indigenous Ganges River dolphin. It’s a win-win situation for dolphins.

Elsewhere in the world, it’s easy to help dolphins and whales—simply avoid marine-animals parks and other attractions that feature shows with live animals.

Post written by PETA Asia intern Briony Thompson