October 26, 2006 Vancouver Sun

Aquarium shouldn't kidnap creatures to put them on display

RE: Aquarium is a treasured institution with an exciting plan to revitalize itself, Letter of the Day, Oct.19

It is disheartening that former Vancouver mayor Philip Owen believes that keeping intelligent and social creatures in captivity contributes to the city's profile. Vancouverites have already expressed their opinion in a referendum in which the majority voted against having zoos here. If given the chance, Vancouverites would say it again: No mammals in captivity.

Why didn't Owen mention the Vancouver Aquarium's plan to bring in more dolphins and belugas for those new pools? Nor did he speak of the captive animal: Being kidnapped from your home and stuck in a toxic tank for the rest of your life where creatures will prod and poke you (in the name of so-called "education") and even control who you are going to have sex with for the rest of your pathetic life. (The aquarium is planning "maternity pools.")

I would like to thank the park board for seeing through the aquarium's propaganda and removing its logo from the aquarium's expansion plans pamphlets.

The aquarium should protect marine life, rather than kidnap it.

Brunella Battista
Vancouver