World Animal Protection UK

Protestors are holding up signs that to protest dolphin and whale captivity. They are wearing blue t-shirts reading TUI say no to the dolphin show

21 organisations led by World Animal Protection demand TUI Group stop selling captive dolphin and whale entertainment

News

Holiday season is over and the summer break is behind us. But for more than 500 dolphins and whales at venues sold by TUI, nothing changes. They suffer in captivity every single day.

Today in Hanover, we were joined by 20 other animal protection organisations gathered outside TUI Group’s headquarters in our latest move to demand an end to the company’s support for captive dolphin and whale entertainment.

Group photo of protesters holding banners and signs

The protest featured a life-sized orca on a flatbed truck, LED trucks and bike posters, sending a clear message: wild animals are not merchandise. While holidaymakers return from their summer breaks, more than 500 dolphins and whales remain trapped in tanks at venues still promoted by TUI.

Protestors are holding signs up. They are protesting against dolphin and whale captivity for entertainment purposes in front of the TUI headquarters in Hanover, Germany.

TUI continues to profit from the suffering of dolphins and whales who are forced to spend their lives in tiny, barren concrete tanks. With every ticket sold, the company prolongs this cruel business.

Our campaign has received worldwide support from industry professionals, the public and even TUI’s own customers and staff. But the decision-makers sit in Germany – that’s why today, we stand together with 20 other animal protection organisations, representing well over 750,000 petition signatures and united in our message to TUI Group that the time to stop propping up this cruel industry is now.

Katheryn Wise, Campaign Manager at World Animal Protection

Protestor in Hanover

The call for change

Together, the organisations are urging TUI to immediately stop selling tickets to dolphinariums and “swim-with-dolphin” experiences.

Wise added: “We demand that TUI cease the sale of tickets for venues that use whales and dolphins for entertainment purposes. TUI has the opportunity to stand on the side of animal protection – and put an end to this cruel industry once and for all. Instead, sustainable, animal-friendly travel offers could be promoted.”

An inflatable orca is laying on the back of a pick up truck. A sign on the truck is reading TUI say no to the dolphin show

Why this matters

  • A new World Animal Protection report reveals TUI still sells trips to at least 37 facilities holding around 589 dolphins and whales in captivity.

  • Competitors like Expedia Group and Booking.com have already cut ties with dolphin shows.

  • By continuing to sell tickets, TUI is not only prioritising profit but also breaking its own animal welfare guidelines.

  • Polling shows 84% of TUI customers think the company should stop selling tickets to marine parks that breed dolphins.

  • The 21 NGOs behind today’s protest represent more than 750,000 petition signatures demanding change.

Protesters in Hanover

The protest was led by World Animal Protection and backed by PETA Germany, Whale and Dolphin Conservation, FAADA, GAIA, Orca Research Trust, Born Free Foundation, Marine Connection, World Cetacean Alliance, One Voice, Dolphin Project, Jane Goodall Institute, German Animal Welfare Federation, ProWildlife, Iberian Orca Guardians, Association WeWhale, RSPCA, Whale Rescue, Free Morgan Foundation, Global Orca Charity, and World Orca Day. A powerful coalition united to end the cruelty of captive dolphin and whale entertainment.

dolphins in captivity

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