Vancouver Courier Letters November 02, 2003

Aquarium animals second to bottom line

To the editor:

I would like to thank Sandra Thomas for her article "Sea lions not displayed for entertainment, says researcher," Oct. 26.

Someone always benefits from so-called "research," but, sadly, it is rarely the creatures that are being researched.

How much longer will the Aquarium be allowed to dupe the public into believing that it has the welfare of marine mammals at heart? If its concern is as genuine as it purports, then I certainly look forward to the Aquarium taking a strong stand against the proposed Pacific Coast seal hunt when that issue raises its ugly head.

Judith Seedhouse,
Vancouver

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To the editor:

The Vancouver Aquarium is only about making a profit by displaying wildlife.

They do research studies, such as the sea lion study, under the guise that they are concerned about conservation. If you are concerned about animals, please don't be fooled by the Aquarium's ploy to validate itself as an educational institution.

The Vancouver Aquarium is all about profit through entertainment, which happens to exploit marine animals.

Kelly Jensen,
Vancouver

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To the editor:

It is really a shame when a well- funded organization like the Vancouver Aquarium, which could be using donated money to help educate the public to respect and protect wild animals, instead continues to abuse them.

The Vancouver Aquarium shows us over and over again, from orcas to belugas, dolphins and now sea lions, that the "show" must go on, no matter how damaging it is to the animals or the environment.

Doug Imbeau,
Vancouver