Sunday 9th January 2011

Whilst having a well earned rest from the campaign against Noah's Ark Zoo Farm (NAZF is closed for winter until early next month), members of BARC have been out and about to remind people that no animal should be kept in captivity for entertainment, regardless of whether they have recently been caught out for animal cruelty! 

Today we spent a few hours outside the Blue Reef aquarium in the city centre, reminding passers-by that aquaria are no different to zoos, and are actually one of the worst offenders for taking animals from the wild - an estimated 79% of marine animals in UK public aquaria are wild caught. Not much of a conservation argument to be had there, especially when you also consider the fact that over 98% of UK aquaria animals are not considered threatened.

Animals inside tanks in aquaria suffer the same barren, artificial and frustrated lives that are witnessed in other facilities which hold captive animals. Many show unnatural behaviours or have health problems as a result of the captivity and others even sustain injuries as a result of rough handing by staff or visitors.

As it turned out there were only a handful of visitors to Blue Reef today, but we had plenty of leaflets, a lovely new banner, and lots of support from passers-by.

Join us on Sunday 23rd to protest outside Bristol Zoo.