A new law would ban the buying, selling or breeding of orca whales in the province of Ontario, but the proposed legislation would not apply to Kiska, a female in captivity at the commercial aquarium, Marineland. Former game show host and animal activist Bob Barker wants Kiska to be included in the law.
Persistent protests and intervention by animal activists prompted the government to introduce the legislation. Barker says he telephoned the premier of the province to congratulate her on the proposed bill, but also asked her that Kiska not be left out of it.
Last orca in captivity in Canada
Orca whales, also called killer whales weigh up to 5,500 kilograms and are between seven and over nine meters long. They dive about 150 meters for food and live in pods of five to 30 whales. Activists say it is cruel to keep such animals in captivity.
There has been much controversy about orcas in captivity in Canada and Kiska is the last one left.
Commercial outfits provide tour boat excursions to those who want to see them in the wild off Canada’s Pacific coast. The whales are intelligent and curious. They sometimes surround boats and surface to catch a closer glimpse of them.
The orca populations are listed as endangered, threatened or of special concern under Canada’s Species At Risk Act.
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