Question: What do Kingston Pententiary and Marineland Canada Inc. have in common?
Answer: Solitary confinement.
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This summer thousands of visitors to Marineland in Niagara Falls would have seen orca Kiska. As one online reviewer commented, "she swims like a lonely goldfish in a bowl.” She is alone, without a mate since November 2011 when the male orca Ikaika was returned to SeaWorld in Orlando Florida.
According to the August 15, 2012 report by Toronto Star reporter Linda Diebel, the practice of keeping cetaceans like Kiska—who are highly social creatures—in isolation is “banned in the United States and frowned on by CAZA.”
CAZA—the Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquariums—formed as a national not-for-profit in 1975 with a mission to “Unite the Canadian Zoo and Aquarium community in connecting people to nature through demonstrating dedication to conservation and excellence in animal care.”
CAZA is also responsible for standardizing professional conduct through a rigorous Code of Ethics and a comprehensive accreditation program.
Marineland Canada Inc. is an accredited member of the Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquariums. For nearly a year it has failed to address the solitary confinement of Kiska. Who will speak for Kiska?
The plight of Orca Kiska is a national animal welfare issue. Please support the “Free Kiska” petition and ensure that she does not spend another lonely winter in solitary confinement.
We the undersigned call on CAZA to stand for excellence in animal care and suspend accreditation to Marineland Canada Inc. until it addresses the solitary confinement of orca Kiska.