November 10, 2008
News Release
Re: No Vancouver Aquarium Expansion?
There is still hope that politicians will protect animals and Stanley Park. Candidate Kerry Jang has advised Lifeforce that Vision Vancouver is opposed to the $80 million expansion of the Vancouver Aquarium? The public vote could stop more imprisonment of wildlife and destruction of Stanley Park green space.
It has been over two years since the Vancouver Aquarium got NPA Parks Commissioners’ approval for an $80 million dollar expansion but they are still fighting City Hall to get a Development Permit. So will the Aquarium continue with their expansion plans and, if they do, will it be completed by their goal for the 2010 Olympics.
Lifeforce Founding Director, Peter Hamilton, recently told Heather Holden, Parks Commissioner now running for School Board, “I would only vote for someone who has an open mind and would support presenting both sides of important issue such as keeping animals in captivity. The question is – In our modern times do we need to continue to imprison animals in aquariums and zoos? Many businesses are jumping on the eco band wagon because it makes good business and money too. But where were they back in the 80s? Any conservation acts by the Vancouver Aquarium have been and will continue to be achieved by organizations who do not keep animals in captivity.”
The Vancouver Aquarium: Anti Conservation and Anti Animal Rights
The Lifeforce Foundation was formed in 1981 as an ecology organization to show the interrelationship of human, animal and environmental problems. We strive to contribute to a better world in which all life and our planet is respected.
Since the 80s we have fought against the multi-million dollar zoo and aquarium industry that imprisons animals and deplete wildlife populations. We have tried to stop the many Vancouver Aquarium expansions that consume precious Stanley Park land and destroy natural wildlife habitats. In 1989 Lifeforce was successful in having Stanley Park designated as a National Historic Site. Stanley Park is free ecology classroom where there is a diversity of wildlife living freely in the park. Please go to our web site and see “Let Stanley Park Be?”( http://www.lifeforcefoundation.org/pdfs/stanley_report.pdf)
Here are some of the anti conservation acts that the Vancouver Aquarium perpetrated with their “SADquarium” and 50 years of sadness and death (see our website for the entire history of animal exploitation and park destruction www.lifeforcefoundation.org ).
Some of the Anti Conservation and Anti Animal Rights History
There have been at least 33 deaths of dolphins resulting from the Vancouver Aquarium’s pro-captivity policy since 1964.
60s/70s
In 1964 the Aquarium hired a sculpture to harpoon an orca to kill as a model for a sculpture. When the orca didn’t die they towed him by the rope attached to the harpoon from Saturna Island to Vancouver. The orca died after 86 days. The Aquarium then decided to try to display live orcas and they started the orca slave trade.
At least 68 “BC” orcas were taken. At least 14 more died during the captures. The captures decimated the Southern and Northern populations. They are now endangered and may not recover. The Aquarium continues to support Sea World captive orca programs (e.g. they had a Seaworld trip as contest prize).
80s
During the Valdez Oil Spill they got sea otters under the guise of rehab. The otters were to be released but were not. The Aquarium also received Exxon “blood” money to conduct repeated blood tests on the otters.
90s
At least 20 stellar sea lion pups were taken from their moms when they were 2 weeks old. This was done in Canada to circumvent US regulations. Approximately 10 sea lions are presently held inhumanely in the non public research area.
After 2000
The Aquarium continues to do business with the notorious Japan which conducts mass dolphin slaughters for food and aquariums. Vancouver Aquarium obtained Pacific White-Sided dolphins from Japan instead of boycotting them. (In Oct 1980 they even held an orca for Japan until Jan 1981 – the orca died within 2 years.)
When a NPA majority was elected in 2005 they rescinded the Board’s promise for a referendum re: dolphins in captivity, changed the cetacean bylaw and voted in favour of another major expansion (more dolphins and even river otters, beavers and sea birds).
Voters in Vancouver should ask Parks Board Candidates that, if elected, will they:
1. Reinstate the referendum to give people the opportunity to vote on keeping dolphins in captivity and further aquarium expansions.
2. Change the Cetacean Bylaw to phase out all dolphin captivity as was the intent of the original bylaw.
3. Stop any further expansion of the Aquarium that is a further tax burden of at least $80 million dollars.
Hamilton added, “The Vancouver Aquarium is part of a multi-billion dollar captivity industry. They must stop brainwashing people, building prisons, and killing animals. We all must protect natural ecosystems for all life to survive in freedom.”
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For further information: Peter Hamilton lifeforcesociety@hotmail.com