Demonstration Saturday Will Expose Cruelty To Animals At Six Flags Discovery Kingdom

“Party for the Planet, Earth Day Celebration” celebrates exploitation

Vallejo, Calif. (April 24, 2010) – As Six Flags Discovery Kingdom’s “Party for the Planet, Earth Day Celebration” begins, In Defense of Animals (IDA) and “A Call For the Release Of All Captive Orcas”, a local group, will be on hand to counter the park’s misinformation. The demonstrators will expose the cruelty and misery marine mammals experience when confined in unnatural conditions and forced to perform tricks for food.

When: Saturday, April 24, 2010, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Where: Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, 1001 Fairgrounds Drive, Vallejo, California (by the ticket booth and metal detectors)

Following the death of an orca trainer at SeaWorld in February, IDA renewed efforts to expose the hazards and cruelty involved when facilities hold captive orcas, also known as killer whales. When The Cove won Best Documentary at the Academy Awards in March, millions of people around the world learned about the cruelty and intense suffering orcas and other dolphins endure at marine parks and swim-with-dolphin businesses worldwide. Despite the educational opportunities these events presented, Six Flags continues to misinform and misrepresent their dolphin acts and their new swim-with-dolphin program.

“Six Flags is nothing but an ‘abusement’ park, and it should discontinue the demeaning and cruel circus-style animal shows,” said Melissa Gonzalez, IDA spokesperson. “Dolphins cannot be held humanely in captivity, and the stunts they perform for the public serve no educational value” she added.

Orcas, who can become “killers” in captivity but pose no danger to humans in the wild, should be left alone wherever they live. They should only be temporarily held captive for rehabilitation purposes when they are injured or sick and need care before they can be returned back to the wild. Commercial gain is not a valid reason to capture or breed marine mammals for a lifetime of cruel confinement.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts:
Melissa Gonzalez, In Defense of Animals, 707-981-7701, Melissa@idausa.org
Lorri Morris, A Call For the Release Of All Captive Orcas, 925- 890-4931