PETA stunt displays ‘trapped orca’ in busy shopping street to protest animal abuse in leisure tourism

An activist dressed up as an “orca” was displayed in a ‘tank’ outside a leisure tourism store in Birmingham today, protesting alleged animal cruelty.

The publicity stunt organised by animal rights group PETA involved a campaigner in a dolphin costume pleading to be freed as they lay “trapped in a cramped tank” outside TUI’s Birmingham city centre store in New Street, 

As part of a creative display with a sign reading “TUI: Orcas Don’t Belong in Tanks. Drop Marine Parks”, the campaign action was set up in a busy shopping street to urge the travel provider to sever its ties with what PETA describes as “marine abusement parks”.

According to PETA – People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals – the city was chosen for the stunt as Birmingham Airport is among the company’s biggest UK bases.

“If TUI hopes to maintain a shred of credibility with animal-loving British holidaymakers, it must stop promoting and profiting from orca abuse,” said PETA Senior Campaigns Manager Kate Werner.

Staff Reporter | I Am Birmingham

“PETA is calling on TUI to join the rest of the UK travel industry by ending its support of marine mammals’ misery.”

The US-founded organisation said that “while orcas in nature form complex relationships, work cooperatively to find food, and traverse up to 150 miles of ocean every day, those at marine parks are housed in incompatible groups in cramped tanks.

“Held in these concrete prisons for decades and forced to perform tricks for tourists, the majority die far short of their natural life expectancy,” a statement read.

In March, Jet2holidays has become the latest major tour operator in the UK to confirm it will stop selling tickets for marine parks with captive cetaceans.

The operator confirmed it will no longer sell tickets to venues “which feature cetaceans (orcas, whales and dolphins) for entertainment”.

“A key driver of our success is the fact that we continually review every element of our operation, and as part of that process, we encourage and welcome feedback from a range of stakeholders,” said a Jet2 spokesperson.

Staff Reporter | I Am Birmingham

Earlier this year, EasyJet also announced plans to change holidays, trips and excursions to make animal welfare a key priority of its business operations.

The tour operator has scrapped all tours which include animal-based attractions. This includes marine parks, zoos, animal performances, animal rides and sporting events involving animals.

In response to ongoing pressure from PETA, a TUI spokeswoman said: “We are currently reviewing the TUI animal welfare policy for venues with cetaceans in captivity as the ABTA Animal Welfare Guidelines no longer contain specific guidance on these.

“We are doing an in-depth analysis of scientific research and having an open dialogue with different stakeholders, including NGOs, scientists and experts on the subject, to take the most responsible decision. We are deeply committed to ensuring that animals in captivity are in good condition.

“We are convinced that through our animal welfare strategy and audit processes in collaboration with our suppliers we can change the industry from the inside out.”