New Zealand Govenment To Ban The Keeping of Marine Mammals

28-03-2011

it is worth noting that DoC isn't concerned as an organisation with exotic animals in zoos, it is purely focused on native animals. There may be nothing much different between seals in zoos and, say, big cats or apes in zoos, but the latter aren't native. The whole pinniped decision is probably because they just don't want native pinnipeds captive. Exotic animals (e.g. apes) is the domain of a different department (Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, or MaF). Note that the only mammals native to NZ are cetaceans, pinnipeds and bats.

also worth noting is that keeping captive cetaceans isn't banned here either. There just aren't any permits being allowed. It results in the same thing, but isn't actually the same (if that makes sense). Its rather a moot point anyway, because as previously mentioned, only one Marineland has been in operation here for a very long time and that facility has itself now been closed for quite a while.

28-03-2011

I've just been reading through various bits and pieces and I can't actually find anything that says "the government" is banning or phasing out all pinnipeds. Unless I'm missing something its mostly DoC or their spokespersons talking in terms of native marine mammals. It may be a case of "no native marine mammals in captivity", but Californian sealions are alright; although even if that was the case, permission to import more exotic pinnipeds may well still be denied. But really Auckland Zoo is the only place that would be keeping exotic pinnipeds anyway.

28-03-2011

.

Thanks for clarifying all this information. Very helpful. It will be interesting to see how this all develops. Unfortunately it does sound as if the infrastructure at Marineland is badly in need of major investment and suspect that will be the deciding factor as to it's fate.

28-03-2011

I think its fate is already decided: its closed and its going to stay that way. I really can't see it re-opening in any form.

28-03-2011

MARINELAND'S ANIMALS

"It is clear that the Council wpould be obliged to follow the advice from the Department of Conservation, if euthanasia was advised at any time."

Barbara Arnott, Mayor of Napier

Source: What happened to Marineland's stars? - Campbell Live - Video - 3 News

28-03-2011

Yeap. Shame that they couldn't move the remaining exhibits to the National Aquarium down the road. I know they plan to move the penguins there. Cost-wise it may well be considerably cheaper than renovating the Marineland site and still retain the marine mammals in the town. I would suspect that would also improve the aquariums gate as well.

28-03-2011

The video is interesting in the very stilted answers given by the Barbara Arnott, the Mayor of Napier. She rather glibly said 'times have moved on' as regards performing dolphins and seals; although apparently a number of locals and others such as myself certainly don't totally share that view. And she was very uncomfortable when faced with the fact that animals may have to be killed if they can not be found new homes deferring the blame to the NZ Department of Conservation.

Seems to me there is a political agenda going on here as much as anything else; clearly if animals are killed she could forget being re-elected which is something she and her council may not of factored into a decision to close the site.

Although for the life of me from a basic economic point of view I can't see why they didn't continue to keep the Marineland open for the time being unless there where pressing health and safety reasons. Although obviously the animals not being on public display is no doubt considered prudent as a political position.

It will be interesting to see what resolution the Judicial Review considers on hearing all the evidence. Clearly a lot more going on here than just an ageing marine attraction and the fate of it's pinnipeds and sea birds.