The World Association for Zoos and Aquariums Exposed

More than 200 zoos and aquaria are institutional members of WAZA. Additionally, about 1100 zoos and aquaria are associate members, linked to WAZA "through their membership in a regional or national Association Member of WAZA." (Source: WAZA's home page)

In its mission description, WAZA uses catch-phrases typical of the dolphinarium industry: (The underlining in the following quotes is ours.)

'WAZA's mission is to guide, encourage and support the zoos, aquariums, and like-minded organizations of the world in animal care and welfare, environmental education and global conservation." In their so-called Code of Ethics, WAZA states that, "The continued existence of zoological parks and aquariums depends upon recognition that our profession is based on respect or the dignity of the animals in our care." Furthermore, WAZA officially opposes what it refers to as "Cruel and non-selective methods of taking animals from the wild."

One would think, therefore, that it would be impossible for a dolphinarium that is linked to the Japanese dolphin slaughter to be accepted as a WAZA member. But it is not. WAZA has welcomed several such dolphinariums into their umbrella organization, thereby giving them their stamp of credibility.

Most of the approximately 500 dolphins currently held in Japan's 50 dolphinariums were captured during a violent and deadly dolphin drive hunt. Many of these Japanese dolphinariums are members of the Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums, also known as JAZA. Despite the fact that JAZA members keep the brutal dolphin hunt alive by doing business with the dolphin killers, WAZA welcomes JAZA as an association member!

In October 2005, following heavy pressure by our coalition to take a stand on the Japanese dolphin drive hunt, WAZA issued a long-awaited statement opposing the Japanese dolphin hunt. In their statement, WAZA, in polite terms, reminds its members to "adhere to the WAZA Code of Ethics and Animal Welfare and ensure that they do not accept animals obtained by the use of methods which are inherently cruel." The statement, which is entitled "WAZA Members not to Purchase Dolphins from Drive Fisheries," goes on to say: "In a resolution adopted at the WAZA Administrative Session of 4 November 2004 (...) it was clearly stated that the catching of dolphins by the use of a method known as "drive fishing" is considered an example of such a non acceptable capture method. WAZA appeals also to those aquaria and dolphinaria, which are not institutional members, to refrain from purchasing dolphins obtained by drive fisheries."

There are no demands. No warnings of being expelled from WAZA if the Code of Ethics is not followed. Today, the statement is hidden away on WAZA's website, under "Archives."

On its website, WAZA says: "All members of the WAZA Network are obliged to comply with WAZA's Code of Ethics and Animal Welfare."

And: "Failure to satisfy or adhere to the Bylaws, Code of Ethics and all other rules and regulations shall be sufficient cause for suspension or denial of membership."

So here it is in black and white: WAZA should expel JAZA immediately.

The WAZA Network consists of "educators" and marine mammal veterinarians. If their mission is all about encouraging animal care and welfare, and that's what they say, then how can they continue to be friendly with dolphinariums that endorse and even participate in the annual massacres and deadly captures of dolphins?

The infamous Taiji Whale Museum, which has become the new Japanese brokering facility for dolphins captured during a dolphin drive hunt, is a member of JAZA. So are numerous other Japanese dolphinariums that take advantage of the dolphin massacres to obtain dolphins.

WAZA has the power to document, expose and quite possibly stop the world's largest dolphin slaughter. Doing so would put action behind their promise that their profession is based on "respect" and dignity" of their animals. WAZA's lack of direct involvement becomes even more shocking when one realizes that more than 600 million people walk through the gates of the WAZA Network each year! WAZA could reach all these people with a message to help stop the dolphin slaughter. After all, the world's dolphinariums claim that they capture and confine dolphins in order to educate the public to the various threats that dolphins face in nature. If the world’s largest network of zoos and aquariums is not going to educate the public to the largest slaughter of dolphins in the world – then what exactly are they doing? When does this alleged "education" begin? Is WAZA perhaps afraid to offend those of their own colleagues and fellow members who make a living doing business with the dolphin killers? And could that also be the reason why WAZA does not immediately enforce their own Code of Ethics and expel those of its members that take advantage of the Japanese dolphin massacres?

We can only guess.

What you can do:
Please help us to convince WAZA’s leadership to enforce their own Code of Ethics and expel JAZA from their umbrella of endorsement. Furthermore, WAZA must expel all other zoos and aquariums that purchase dolphins from the annual dolphin drive hunts.

Please write to
WAZA Executive Director,
Gerald Dick
Email: secretariat@waza.org