Date
August 15, 2000
Contact
Elliot Katz, DVM
IDA
ek@idausa.org
415-388-9641, x25
In Defense of Animals
131 Camino Alto
Mill Valley
CA 94941
IDA is an international, California-based animal advocacy organization dedicated to ending the abuse and exploitation of animals by defending their rights, welfare and habitats.
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Vallejo, CA…Vigga, the 23-year-old orca at Six Flags Marine World, died last night as a result of a "heart ailment," In Defense of Animals (IDA) has learned. In 1997, another Orca, Yaka, died at Marine World, making Vigga the second Orca to die in captivity at Marine World in three years.
"There is no doubt in my mind that Vigga died prematurely, most probably as a result of a weakened immune system or an infection passed on to her by one of her trainers" said Elliot Katz, DVM, president and founder of IDA. "For Marine World to say that the natural life span of orcas in the wild is only 25 years is ridiculous. Orcas in the wild have life expectancies of twice that. Marine World’s spin on this unfortunate death is just an effort to placate the public and cover up the enormity of this tragedy."
Beyond the recent deaths of Vigga and Yaka, Marine World has had a litany of problems involving the welfare of animals. A 3-week-old dolphin died there in June and, in 1999, Marine World was forced to pay a $2500 fine to the U.S. Department of Agriculture in a case involving the death of a baby sea lion and the mauling of a woman by a tiger.
"These untimely and tragic deaths only reinforce the fact that orcas should not be forced to live in relatively tiny cement tanks under the guise of 'entertainment' and 'education,'" said Dr. Katz. "The Marine World staff called Vigga a 'wonderful member of their family.' To be violently and cruelly taken away from one’s own family and then to confined in a concrete tank for virtually her whole life is not a wonderful way to treat a family member."
For many years IDA has held annual protests outside Marine World, calling for the retirement, rehabilitation and eventual release of Vigga. Activists pointed to the incredible progress shown by Keiko, the star of the original Free Willy film, as evidence that rehabilitating orcas in the wild is possible.
"Unfortunately, it is too late for Vigga to follow in Keiko’s wake," said Dr. Katz. "We are urging members of the public to demand that Marine World not repeat this tragic exploitation of such magnificent animals by attempting to 'purchase' another orca for 'exhibit.'"