Aquariums that buy Dolphins and Whales Illegally

Here is a list of some aquariums that have boughten and shown dolphins and whales that they have gotten illegally.

Miami Seaquarium: Obtained two Risso’s Dolphins (Grampus) from Taiji, Japan, via Jay Sweeney. Both dolphins caught in a 1989 hunt. Both died at Miami Seaquarium in 1989 and 1995.

Miami Seaquarium: Obtained two bottlenose dolphins from Iki Island (drive hunt), Japan, via Jay Sweeney. Both dolphins caught in 1989 hunt; one died 1991, the other in 2000.

Sea World San Diego: Obtained three false killer whales, two from Taiji, Japan and one from Iki Island, Japan, via the Fishermen’s Union. Two caught in 1981 and one caught in 1984; alive in 1991 (date of report).

Indianapolis Zoological Society: Obtained two false killer whales from Taiji, Japan, via Jay Sweeney, in 1989. One died in 1992, the other in 1998.

Naval Comm, Control & OC Surveillance Ctr (US Navy Trained Dolphins): Two Risso’s dolphins obtained from Taiji, Japan, in 1989. One died in 1989, the other in 1999.

Marine World Africa USA (now Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, Vallejo, CA): Sought to import four false killer whales in 1993. Earth Island letter (dated May 5, 1993) to NMFS expressed opposition to the illegal, inhumane captures of drive hunts. Permission for import denied by NMFS (letter dated May 7, 1993).