France: Parc Astérix Announces Permanent Closure of Its Delphinarium

As Parc Astérix recently announced, the French park intends to focus solely on its operations as a theme and amusement park in the future and, with this in mind, is closing its “Dolphinarium”. The eight dolphins of the park, which were all born in captivity or have lived in the park for almost 30 years, will all be transferred to one of 30 European dolphinariums, which are all proofed by the EAZA (European Association of Zoos and Aquariums) and EAAM (European Association for Aquatic Mammals). Due to their advanced age and long-term conditioned living in captivity, the dolphins are not eligible for a reintroduction project into the ocean. All administrative, veterinary and logistical steps for the relocation of the dolphins have now been initiated. Most of the dolphinarium’s staff will stay with the park in new divisions. (eap)