A visitor poses in front of a giant panda habitat at the Hong Kong Ocean Park, China June 25, 2015. — Reuters pic
Ocean Park said yesterday it would replace the daily shows at its flagship enclosure with ‘underwater viewing opportunities” for visitors.However, the park said it would continue to allow visitors to pay to feed and pose with the dolphins in the water. Dolphins suffer physically and mentally from life in captivity, according to the Born Free Foundation which also says on its website that physical interactions with the public are “highly stressful” for the animals.
Hong Kong non-profit organisation Animal Rights Education said in a Facebook statement the move was an important step, but urged the park to gradually end marine animal captivity.