The Animal Behavior Management Alliance (ABMA) strongly disagrees with a recent decision announced by TripAdvisor and its subsidiary Viator. The company announced that they will "no longer sell tickets to, or generate revenue from, any attraction that continues to contribute to the captivity of future generations of cetaceans. As a result, any commercial facility that either breeds or imports cetaceans for public display will be banned from sale on TripAdvisor and Viator". This is an unfortunate and very misguided decision that is not in the best interest of animal welfare or conservation. There are many professionally accredited zoological facilities that have successfully cared for cetaceans for decades. These facilities have learned and conducted countless rescue and rehabilitation efforts on cetaceans and are the real experts in the husbandry and medical care of cetaceans. The professionals and animals at marine parks, zoos, & aquariums serve as educators for more people than attend all the sporting events in the United States.
Our friends at IMATA have created an easy and impactful opportunity for you to make a difference by clicking this link https://www.imata.org/speak_up.
You can also help by writing to TripAdvisor's CEO, Steve Kaufer (skaufer@tripadvisor.com) & continuing to share the truth about your animals and your work with friends and families through social media. ABMA encourages all of the real animal experts to speak up about the amazing and important work that we do!
-Justin Garner
President
Animal Behavior Management Alliance
