The Present and Future of Dolphins and Captivity: 10 years since the ban on acquiring dolphins caught in Japan’s annual drive hunts
This is the theme of an event being held on Sept. 23 in the lead-up to World Animal Day 2025.
In 2015, the Japan Association of Zoos and Aquariums (JAZA) ordered its members to cease purchasing dolphins captured during the annual dolphin drive hunts (more information on the hunts here: https://www.worldanimalday.org/the-work-of-peace-a-japanese-group-campaigning-to-end-dolphin-hunts/).
Ten years on, how has this ban impacted aquariums? And what does the future hold in store for dolphins?
To raise awareness about the plight of dolphins and consider a future without their exploitation by humans, this symposium will feature talks by those who campaigned for JAZA’s 2015 move, as well as a presentation by a well-known U.S. expert on cetacean captivity and husbandry issues, who is also the founder of a dolphin sanctuary in Nova Scotia. The event will also feature a panel discussion relating to the future of dolphins and captive facilities, including the growing interest globally in dolphin sanctuaries and some technological innovations such as LightAnimal that feature virtual aquariums and zoos.
Date: 23 September 2025 (National Holiday)
Event starts at 12:30, and ends at 16:30 (tentative).
Venue: National Olympic Memorial Youth Centre, Yoyogi, Tokyo.
Online registration can be made in advance at the following site, which also includes more detailed information about the event: https://wad2025dolphin.peatix.com/view
More information can be found on the PEACE webpage here.
- Contact Name: Robert Gilhooly
- Contact Number: 81+90-1824-5976
- Contact Email: robert@animals-peace.net
- Location: National Olympic Memorial Youth Centre, Centre Building, Room 416
- Organised by: PEACE (Put an End to Animal Cruelty and Exploitation)