Inaccuracies in Bjossa's news article

Dear Editors,

Today's article by Nicholas Reid titled "Bjossa gains clearance to take up residence at San Diego aquarium" contains several inaccuracies that I would like to point out.

1. The import permit for Bjossa was approved on March 14, 2001, not March 19 as the article states.

2. The Vancouver Aquarium announced that it would send Bjossa to the US on April 27, 2000, not June 2000 - as the article states.

3. Bjossa is the third killer whale to leave the Vancouver Aquarium alive, not the first - as the article states. Two Icelandic killer whales (Vigga and Benkei II) were brought to Vancouver in 1980 and laundered to the US and Japan in 1981.

4. The Vancouver Aquarium did not phase out its "tricks program" in 1991 due to public pressure - as the article states. According to the aquarium's Values and Visions report (1992), it was Hyak, Finna and Bjossa who refused to do tricks and stopped the whale shows in 1991. However, the aquarium returned to whale shows in 1993 and today you can still see Bjossa perform at 11:30 am, 2:00 pm and 4:30 pm.

Furthermore, it is truly disappointing that the article only quoted aquarium industries' representatives and did not contain any of the reasons why Bjossa should not be transferred to SeaWorld.

Sincerely,

Annelise Sorg Director & Founder Coalition For No Whales In Captivity Box 461-1755 Robson Street Vancouver, B.C. V6G 3B7 Tel: 736-9514 Cel: 838-3642

Posted by Annelise Sorg <annelise@direct.ca> Coalition For No Whales In Captivity