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Good news for whales! Congress has reintroduced the Strengthening Welfare in Marine Settings (SWIMS) Act, which would finally put an end to the capture and breeding of whales for public display. Urge your representatives to pass this important piece of legislation to bring an end to keeping captive whales in the U.S. for good!
 

Cetaceans are highly intelligent and social animals who suffer greatly in captivity. Whales are confined in small concrete tanks a fraction of the size of what their natural home range in the wild would be. They are separated from their families and put with unfamiliar individuals leading to aggressive behavior or kept in isolation. They often display stereotypical behaviors which are strong indicators of psychological and emotional distress. Some of these behaviors include chewing on grates and bars and bobbing their heads or popping their jaws repetitively. Health issues related to captivity such as tooth damage and dorsal fin collapse are also extremely common.
 

The SWIMS Act, which was reintroduced by Reps. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), Suzan Delbene (D-Wash.), and Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), would do several things to end keeping orcas, beluga whales, pilot whales, and false killer whales in captivity. The act would amend the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to make the export, import, and capture of these whales for public display unlawful. An exemption is included for whales being transported to a sanctuary or released to the wild. It would also amend the Animal Welfare Act to prohibit any breeding or artificial insemination of these whales for the purpose of public display.
 

With roughly 50 whales being held in captivity in the United States it is important to end the cruel practice of holding them for public display. These intelligent animals should not be trapped in tiny tanks and forced to perform unnatural behaviors for human spectators. It is time to phase out the practice and save the next generation of whales from this fate.
 

Letter to Decision Maker(s) for reference:

Subject: End Whale Captivity for Public Display

As a constituent who is concerned about the welfare of captive whales I am writing to urge you to co-sponsor the Strengthening Welfare in Marine Settings (SWIMS) Act. 

Cetaceans are highly intelligent and social animals and studies show they suffer in captivity. Whales held in concrete tanks often display aggressive and self-destructive behaviors, suffer from health issues, and have significantly shorter lifespans than their wild counterparts.

Public opinion is also increasingly against holding whales in concrete tanks for entertainment. By prohibiting the future breeding and transport of whales for public display the SWIMS Act would ensure that the whales currently suffering in captivity are the last. 

I sincerely hope you will co-sponsor this important legislation. Thank you for your compassion and attention to this issue.

Sincerely,

Signed

This alert is no longer active, but here for reference. Animals still need your help.