Moscow: Captive Killer Whales Live in Desperate Conditions

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While they wait for the opening of a long planned oceanarium, a pair of intelligent killer whales sit in temporary facilities in Moscow—and their desperate cries have been heard for months, animal advocates say. The orcas are living in terrible conditions, the activists say, calling the animals’ separate tanks “solitary confinement cells” that could drive them insane and make them a threat to humans, the Moscow Times reports.

Captive Orcas circle tiny pen in Moscow.  Pic courtesy www.championsforcetaceans.com
Captive Orcas circle tiny pen in Moscow. Pic courtesy www.championsforcetaceans.com

Officials acknowledge that the animals are living in the facilities, but they have rejected calls to investigate the situation at the VDNKh exhibition center, where, RT reports, the orcas have been for 10 months.

The facility, activists say, is just over 200 feet long; free orcas may swim more than 90 miles per day. “This is a huge stress that could make them dangerous,” says Irina Novozhilova, the head of animal activist group Vita. What’s more, within concrete walls, the orcas could be deafened by their own echolocation.

A police report says the conditions don’t amount to animal abuse, which has a very limited definition in Russia, the Moscow Times notes. The animals—a female named Narnia and a male with no name—are set to appear in Europe’s largest oceanarium, which was supposed to open this spring; instead, thanks to construction delays, it’s likely to open next year.  So, without other arrangements being made, these magnificent animals will be tortured for at least another year or so.  What a terrible, terrible tragedy.  Perhaps some brave souls will figure out a way to set them free.

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Professor Mike

Professor Mike is a left-leaning, dog loving, political junkie. He has written dozens of articles for Substack, Medium, Simily, and Tribel. Professor Mike has been published at Smerconish.com, among others. He is a strong proponent of the environment, and a passionate protector of animals. In addition he is a fierce anti-Trumper. Take a moment and share his work.
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9 years ago

Apparently this- Животных злоупотребления наркотиками – is Russian for ‘animal abuse’. This IS abuse.

No excuses. Send in the SEALS and the SAS and sod Russia.

FREE THE WHALES!!!!

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