Dolphins Get Gift of Freedom
No Granby Dolphins Coalition Congratulates Granby Zoo

December 11, 2001 — The Granby Zoo annouced yesterday that it is suspending plans to build a dolphinarium an hour outside of Montreal.

The $12 million dollar project, involving the construction of a captive facility that would house up to six dolphins, has been opposed by a coalition of more than 50 local, national, and international animal protection and environmental organizations.

Opponents of the project expressed grave concerns about the wellbeing of the dolphins, ranging from the stressful transport between facilities, to the physical, social and pyschological suffering that dolphins in captivity endure.

The seven-month campaign consisted of expert testimony from marine mammal biologists, public education, protest and political advocacy.

"We are absolutely thrilled," stated Franck Tieman of Global Action Network. "We see this as a real victory for marine mammals in captivity everywhere."

Zoocheck Canada's Brian McHattie noted that the Granby Zoo has decided to focus on other priorities. "We hope that they will take this opportunity to improve and modernize their existing facilities", McHattie stated. "Granby's attempts at animal care fail to meet even the most basic minimum standards. Certainly, they should not be investing one cent into building additional facilities until they can prove that they can maintain existing ones."

The Granby Zoo stated that it has put off plans to build the facility because of a lack of government funding. "While Granby may feel that funds will become available in the future, they are completely mistaken. The controversy will not go away, and the public will become even more educated about the suffering we inflict on these magnificent creatures for entertainment," concluded Tieman. "I believe that we have seen the end of the dolphinarium project."