Spanish It has 93 captive dolphins, which represents 30% of those found in this situation at Europe. Our country leads the list of European countries with the most dolphins in captivity and Valencian Oceanography This is the center with the most individuals in this situation on Spanish soil. behind is Portugal (35), Ukraine (33), Dutch (25) and France And Italy (23 each).

This is reflected in the rating prepared by the NGO World Animal Protection and released this Thursday to coincide with world oceans day. This organization assisted environmental activists last April Olivia Mandle16 years, for providing more than 154,000 signatures at the Congress of Deputies within the framework of the ‘This is not a country for dolphins’ campaign, which aims to get Spain to have a law banning dolphinariums.

The ranking confirmed that 308 dolphins were “stuck” in 14 European countries, where, according to World Animal Protection, “cetaceans continue to be used to entertain humans at the expense of animal suffering.”

Europe has a total 34 dolphinariums where “dolphins are forced to act and live badly, locked up in small pools for decades,” according to the NGO, which assures that “one captive dolphin can generate between 400,000 and two million dollars a year in income.”

Captured dolphins have no choice but to act up to three times a day instead of food. The rest of the time they spent huddled together at small pond200,000 times smaller than the space in which they would live in nature, without being able to enjoy the diversity of ecosystems and the freedom offered by their natural environment: the ocean,” emphasized World Animal Protection.

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On the other hand, Spain is the European country with the most centers of using dolphins for entertainment purposes, specifically 10. Valencia Oceanography leads the way, with “about twenty dolphins suffering “exploited, locked in a cement tank”according to NGOs.

“During the dolphin show, Oceanogràfic uses manipulative discourse under the pretext of conservation and education which is completely unacceptable and incoherent. Dolphins are not ‘ambassadors of their species in freedom’, as Oceanogràfic maintains. They are prisoners! And they are being held for entertainment purposes only.” Sandra CampinasWorld Animal Protection campaign coordinator in Spain.

Campinas added: “Dolphins are very friendly, curious animals and have a much higher intelligence than many other animals. They are sentient beings, who need to interact with their peers and explore their habitat to have a full life. On Day Ocean World, we want to claim the right of dolphins to live in freedom. Oceans and seas are the only place where dolphins can meet their needs and be happy.”

In contrast, about thirty European countries have no showing of this type of cetacean and a few, such Cyprus, Croatia, France, Hungary, Luxembourg, Norway, Slovenia, Sweden and the United Kingdom they have laws that prohibit or limit exposure to marine mammals in captivity.

In Spain, the Congress of Deputies approved last March a Animal Welfare Law which prohibits the use of wild animals in circuses, but excludes dolphins.