Historic: Dolphinariums to Be Banned Across Belgium

Brussels, 17 November – Belgium has officially become the 7th country worldwide and the 4th in Europe to enact a permanent ban on dolphinariums. This landmark decision is a significant victory for GAIA, which has championed the fight to end the captivity of these sensitive and intelligent animals for over 30 years.

Flanders Joins Brussels and Wallonia in Ending Dolphin Captivity

Following the lead of the Walloon and Brussels regions, Flemish Minister for Animal Welfare Ben Weyts (N-VA) announced today that Flanders will implement a permanent and irreversible ban on dolphinariums. For GAIA, this achievement represents the culmination of decades of advocacy, which began in the 1990s with the support of renowned figures like ethologist Jane Goodall and Richard O’Barry, former trainer of Flipper and now a dedicated activist against dolphin captivity. GAIA played a pivotal role in the closure of the Antwerp Zoo’s dolphinarium in 1999 and, more recently, in calling for the end of dolphin captivity during hearings in the Flemish Parliament.

“This is a historic moment for all animal rights activists. Ending the captivity of these sensitive and intelligent animals is not only a step forward for animal welfare but also a strong message to society: animals should not suffer for our entertainment, and captivity has no place in our modern world. Dolphinariums must come to terms with this,” says Michel Vandenbosch, Chair of GAIA. 

With this decision, Belgium joins countries such as India, Costa Rica, Chile, Croatia, Slovenia, and Cyprus, which have already implemented strict bans on the captivity of dolphins.

GAIA Advocates for Dignified Living Conditions for the Last Captive Dolphins

The Boudewijn Seapark, Belgium’s last dolphinarium located in Bruges, must permanently close its doors and end dolphin captivity by 2037 at the latest. However, Flemish Minister for Animal Welfare Ben Weyts has informed GAIA that this closure could happen much sooner.

In a gesture of collaboration, GAIA has proposed transferring Boudewijn Seapark’s last remaining dolphins to a sanctuary, such as the planned marine sanctuary on the Greek island of Lipsi, or another suitable facility offering dignified, semi-natural living conditions for these dolphins.

Ending Dolphinariums: A Wise Decision for Sensitive Beings

Dolphins are highly intelligent, sensitive, and social marine animals who suffer profoundly in captivity. Constrained to artificial pools thousands of times smaller than their natural range, these animals endure significant stress and develop stereotypical behaviors. In the wild, dolphins are active swimmers, covering up to 100 kilometers daily and diving to depths of 200 meters. In captivity, they are deprived of these essential aspects of life, which inhibits their ability to thrive and flourish as they would in their natural habitat.