At Animal Action Greece, we’ve tirelessly advocated against the exploitation of animals for entertainment. This fight reached a significant milestone in 2012 when, after a six-year campaign alongside 50 Greek animal welfare groups and Animal Defenders International, Greece implemented legislation banning the use of animals for entertainment. However, enforcing these laws has proven to be a challenging and complex process.
In 2018, during a visit by the Dolphin Project to assess the living conditions of dolphins at Attica Zoological Park, alarming welfare concerns came to light. Several dolphins were found confined to small tanks with little access to shade, despite the zoo being situated outside Athens, where scorching summer temperatures are exacerbated by frequent wildfires. Although Greece’s 2012 ban on using animals in performances was in place, these dolphins continued to perform multiple shows daily. In response, the Greek Ministry of Environment and Energy imposed a fine of €44,360 on Attica Zoo, and by March 13th, 2020, the dolphinarium’s operating license was revoked.
Fast forward to 2023, the owners of Attica Zoological Park were convicted once again for conducting illegal dolphin shows. They were sentenced to 8 months with a three-year suspension for the illegal use of animals, marking a critical moment in the fight to end the use of animals for entertainment. This verdict highlighted the persistent disregard for animal welfare laws at the park, where dolphins were forced to perform despite the clear legal prohibition.
Yet unfortunately, the fight continues.
In a troubling recent development, an application has been submitted to NOAA Fisheries to import up to five adult bottlenose dolphins, once used in shows at Attica Zoological Park, to an aquarium in Florida. If approved, these dolphins would face the prospect of being confined in concrete tanks and being exploited for public displays once again. Furthermore, transporting the dolphins from Greece to Florida is incredibly risky.
A much more humane alternative exists: the dolphins could be transported directly to the Greek islands of Lipsi or Crete, a maximum distance of under 200 miles. Plans are already underway to build two dolphin retirement facilities in these locations, where the dolphins could live out the rest of their lives in peace.
This application, filed last month, is open for public comments until February 3rd, 2025.
Here’s an example comment you could copy, paste, or edit to submit your opposition:
“I strongly oppose the application to transfer up to five bottlenose dolphins from Greece to Florida. Transporting these dolphins such a long distance poses significant risks to their health and well-being, including stress, dehydration, injury, and even death during transit. These dolphins have already endured lives of exploitation and deserve the opportunity to live out their remaining years in peace.
A more compassionate and humane alternative exists relocating the dolphins to one of the planned dolphin retirement facilities in Greece, on the islands of Lipsi or Crete. These locations are less than 200 miles away and would provide a safe and natural environment for the dolphins to recover and thrive.
Approving this transfer would only perpetuate the exploitation of these sentient and intelligent beings for public display. I urge NOAA Fisheries to deny this application and prioritise the welfare of these dolphins above commercial interests.”
We urge you to take immediate action and voice your opposition to this transfer, using the link below.
