John Nightingale, the long-time head of the Vancouver aquarium, just told CBC AM radio, that Annelise's views represented the views of very few people. Ever the astute businessman, he said that attendance was up, and that proved it.

So far, Mr Nightingale is right - the masses still like their bread and circuses and will pay for them, just as they have for thousands of years, just as the Romans did, just as most of the savage world does. That is who pays Nightingale - the masses who still like displays of wild animals being cowed or coerced into performing tricks for them.

But thinking people make the decisions, and thinking people do not like the way the Aquarium and Mr Nightingale make their livings. Annelise will prevail.