Iran’s Dept. of Environment Comes Out Against Captive-Dolphin Displays

Could the tide be turning for dolphins in Iran? PETA is hopeful that that’s the case, after an Iranian official spoke out against captive-dolphin displays.

Hamid Zahrabi, a deputy director of the country’s Department of Environment, says that he and other government officials oppose marine-mammal parks as well as animal circuses. He said, “We believe recreational centres can be constructed without harassing animals. Therefore, I do not agree with the development of dolphinariums, and we have issued an instruction to prevent the development of these centres.”

He added that marine animals are commonly trained under duress to perform confusing and likely uncomfortable tricks that do not mimic natural behavior.

PETA is hopeful that those who wish to profit from confining intelligent animals to cramped tanks for fleeting human amusement will heed the Department of Environment’s directive and that no new dolphin displays will be established in Iran. We also hope that this positive shift in the opinions of Iran’s leaders means that all the dolphins who are currently held in the country’s existing marine parks will soon be freed from tanks and released into seaside sanctuaries.

Join compassionate people around the world in saying NO to captive-animal displays: Urge SeaWorld to free marine-mammal prisoners from the abusement park today.