Conservationists blast Branson on Youtube
Conservationists have made a public attack on Virgin Holidays boss Sir Richard Branson as part of a new campaign to persuade the travel industry in the UK to stop selling trips to see captive whales and dolphins.
The campaign by Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC) includes a Youtube video which urges Branson not "to be a d***" and "stop supporting SeaWorld".
Virgin Holidays is just one of several UK tour operators that sell excursions to water parks in Florida, the Bahamas and Dubai, where captive whales and dolphins perform shows to entertain paying visitors. SeaWorld does not run all of these parks, but it is the most high-profile brand in the UK.
WDC appears to have singled out Branson for the launch of the campaign because he well-known for his environmentalist credentials.
WDC communications manager Danny Groves said: The campaign tone is very much about exposing his hypocrisy and asking Sir Richard to ‘do better’.
"In short, he is an environmentalist and is an Ocean Elder. He speaks out against cruel hunts in Japan however he sees nothing wrong with sending people to SeaWorld to see orcas held in captivity.
"Some of these orcas were taken from the wild. They are forced to live in cramped concrete pools for our ‘entertainment’ so we think he is being a hypocrite."
In the Youtube video called A Letter to Sir Richard, Branson’s head has been superimposed on a naked body dancing outside Buckingham Palace, in the street and on the beach and riding and then punching a cartoon whale.
The WDC campaign is asking members of the public to sign a petition on its website asking Sir Richard to end Virgin’s association with SeaWorld and other marine parks.
It points to ABTA guidance which states that:
"animal handling and contact by the public should be discouraged."
"animals should be able to escape other individuals, public view and interaction at all times"
"performances… should only involve natural behaviours"
Branson appears to be trying to counter the criticism by posting a new blog on the Virgin website, in which he talks of his "deep respect and love for the ocean".
He writes that "no dolphins or whales should be …taken from the ocean for marine parks" but says animals that have been bred in captivity – such as those at SeaWorld – cannot safely be released.
"So if the ones who are currently in captivity have to be kept there it is critically important that they are treated properly and given the necessary environment to thrive.
"As long as this criteria is met I believe access to these magnificent creatures in the proper humane conditions – alongside ocean research and exploration – can help to educate our children and improve our understanding."
WDC said it would be targeting other operators, including Thomas Cook, First Choice and Cosmos, as part of its "long running" campaign.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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