Animal Legal Defense Fund.... On the agenda for January 2018, ALDF is asking for signatures to help keep Orcas out of captivity in protection, the State of Florida. They are now leading the coalition of animal protection and marine conservation groups. We all must take this time and continue to support organizations including ALDF in their efforts in proposing new legislation in the protection of all animals, including our wildlife, endangered species and our marine life. This particular legislation would continue to prohibit breeding Orcas in captivity, as well as transporting them to other states to remain in captivity. Orcas or Killer Whales are inherently unsuited to being held in captivity, due to their longevity, intelligence, acoustic needs, ranging habits, and size. Orcas social needs are complex and they are very family-oriented. There is No tank that offers Orcas enough space or ever could. Many of the tanks are usually only 100-140 feet long and 25-35 feet deep. Wild adult Orcas can reach 6000-12,000 lbs and up to 18-24 feet long. They can travel up to 100 miles in a day and dive up to 300 feet deep. What can a tank do for them or a Dolphin? Orcas as well as dolphins, suffer stress and anxiety when kept in captivity, particularly when there is no enrichment in their life. Do we really want them to be on medication for their mental and physical stress???? Implementing legislation would be a giant step in keeping our marine mammals out of captivity... Please take the time to read and TAKE ACTION !! We are the voice not only for the voiceless, but also for the bravery of these organizations, that fight tirelessly everyday to keep our animals, marine and wildlife safe, protected and out of harms way... Mahalo

Imagine spending your entire life living in a room the size of a bathtub. That’s the reality for orcas kept in captivity in marine amusement parks like SeaWorld. In the wild, orcas swim up to 140 miles in a single day and are highly social animals that live in groups. But in amusement parks across the world, orcas are kept in tiny tanks and forced to perform tricks day in and day out. We’re fighting to protect future orcas from enduring this cruelty with the Florida Orca Protection Act, which would end the cycle of captivity by outlawing orca breeding, including transporting genetic material from orcas in Florida out-of-state. It would also prohibit any additional orcas from being transported into the state for a life of captivity or transferred out of North America, except for transport to a seaside sanctuary or as required by federal law. But we need your help to make sure the Florida Orca Protection Act becomes law. In 2016, SeaWorld announced it would end the breeding of orcas. But a recent front-page article in the Tampa Bay Times suggests that SeaWorld might not be fully committed to protecting orcas. It’s crucial that we don’t rely on changing corporate policies to ensure future orcas aren’t exploited for entertainment, it needs to be the law. With the 2018 legislative session starting in just a few weeks, we need your help to make sure legislators know that this issue is important to Floridians. Please send your state legislator the Tampa Bay Times article with a brief message that you, as a constituent, want protection for orcas in Florida to be a priority in the 2018 legislative session. TAKE ACTION Will you join me in speaking out for orcas? For the animals, Stephen Wells Executive Director