Say NO to orca circuses
We believe it is wrong to keep whales and dolphins in captivity for public entertainment purposes. Across the globe, these highly intelligent, social animals often live in small tanks and are trained to perform tricks for tourists' amusement.
In the UK using lions, elephants and other wild animals in circuses is now viewed as morally unacceptable. We think that it's time the tide turned for captive whales and dolphins too.
Find out more about our reasons here
As part of our campaign, in 2014, Responsible Travel and the World Cetacean Alliance Working Group on Captivity launched a petition against captive cetaceans in tourism, which was signed by over 15,000 respected individuals, organisations and tour operators, including some ABTA members.
Read on for the latest updates on our campaign and how you can help.
Updates
2019: Virgin Holidays announces it will end its own sales and promotions of tourist attractions that involve live cetaceans. Along with the World Cetacean Alliance, and PETA, Responsible Travel is continuing the pressure on TUI to end all SeaWorld ticket sales.
2018: Thomas Cook stops selling trips to SeaWorld and Loro Parque over animal welfare concerns.
2016: SeaWorld announces an end to its orca breeding programme, and that it will also start phasing out all live orca performances.
2014: Responsible Travel joins the World Cetacean Alliance Working Group on Captivity to campaign against keeping whales and dolphins in captivity for tourist entertainment. Our petition receives over 15,000 signatures.
2013: Blackfish released, a documentary about captive orcas and Tilikum, an orca held by SeaWorld, prompting immediate and lasting outrage. The film contributed to significant financial losses to SeaWorld.
How can you help?
Spread the word, any way you can, by sharing our campaign on social media or with your friends. Whenever you’re considering a holiday that involves any kind of animal-focused attraction, think: if this animal is not in the wild, then will your visit contribute to its welfare, or is it being exploited for the benefit of tourists?
This is a momentous day and a critical turning point. We applaud SeaWorld for doing the right thing here. Finally SeaWorld has listened to the experts and its customers and acted accordingly. In just one day it has gone from public enemy number one to a potential leader for change. That's a game changer not just for SeaWorld but for the industry worldwide. We hope to see the dolphinarium industry around the world follow suit. 
– Dylan Walker, World Cetacean Alliance on SeaWorld’s plans to end orca breeding
Tourism companies around the world have a responsibility to animals, local people and the planet to protect and respect. – Justin Francis, CEO, Responsible Travel
