Bill Description:
This bill would ban the possession, capture, import, and breeding of cetaceans for entertainment purposes, with exemptions for rehabilitation, rescue or stranding, or research purposes.[teaserbreak]
Background:
While there are currently no captive whales, dolphins, or porpoises in Washington, the state has a long and tragic history with marine mammal cruelty. Hundreds of orcas were captured off the coast in the 1960s and 1970s, with many of them ending up at SeaWorld and other parks.
For more information on why this bill is necessary, read Born Free USA’s blog on the documentary Blackfish, which exposed the deep inhumanity inherent in keeping killer whales captive.
Take Action:
Washington residents, call or email your state representative and urge him or her to support this important legislation!
Read the full text and follow its progress here for the House version and here for the Senate version.