The plans for the marine park have been officially scrapped. I am drained from this fight but the relief of knowing those animals stay free is worth every bit of the struggle.
March 25, 2016
Final supporters
This one is for you, Tilikum.
NOTE: There are updates as you read down the page. The first part was the original statement, followed by the next releases.
-------
March 11 - "It will also have an amphitheater, where dolphin and sea lion shows will be held."
Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/local-news/2016/03/...
There are more sustainable and humane ways to promote awareness for wildlife. Certainly, there are more humane ways to keep animals in captivity apart from just keeping us entertained during boring weekends or holidays. Research facilities that promote awareness and conservation exist to help species propagate so they can continue to exist in the wild, eventually. What aquariums like this do is counter the effects being done by these conservation efforts. They create demand to PULL these wild animals out of their NATURAL HABITATS so they can be put in a big cage, such as an amphitheater for our amusement.
Let's help stop this.
Here are some updates:
- March 12 - No dolphin, whales on display - exec: Uproar over SRP marine park
Source: http://www.philstar.com:8080/cebu-news/2016/03/12/1562172/no-dolphin-whales-display-exec-uproar-over-srp-marine-park - March 13 - Petition vs Cebu Ocean Park gains ground
Source: http://www.philstar.com:8080/cebu-news/2016/03/13/... - March 13 - Cebu Ocean Park project draws flak
Source: http://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/89192/89192
Now they're saying there won't be any dolphin shows in the park, and the animals will be under good care. But it's not just about the dolphin shows, is it?
This is not just about the whales, dolphins, and sharks -- this is about all the other marine flora and fauna, especially those that are already endangered, that are being taken out of their natural habitats. It doesn't matter if you are just "taking a sample from a population", the fact remains you're purposefully taking them out of their natural habitat, to confine them in a tank for profit. There is still no excuse for that.
To educate the people? Are the benefits of "educating" those who will pay to enter worth the detriments -- i.e. the cementing of the mentality that it's okay to pull wildlife out of their habitat? Do people really go there to be educated and be influenced to save the seas? Maybe. But herein lies the irony, they just contributed to its demise by going to the place where they wish to learn how to save it. And the establishment just enabled it.
Sometimes the best type of learning is to teach our nation is through actions backed up principles. I've said it to a reporter, and I will say it again -- I’m concerned about it because of the principle behind the act -- Should we, as a nation, support projects that allow capture of wildlife, so they can be put in aquariums for entertainment, and profit? As a citizen, I’ve learned there’s something terribly wrong with that, regardless of where the project is put. That’s the principle behind the concern.
- March 14- Mayor Rama to look into Ocean Park operation
http://www.philstar.com/cebu-news/2016/03/14/15628...
In the spirit of fairness, transparency and dialogue, posting the reply of the Mayor and Management to the issue. Full report is on the link above. Briefly, the Mayor is looking going to look into the Ocean Park operation, but does not see any need to speak with Management of the park just yet:
“The position of the city government, obviously it has to be on the basis of attribute of ownership,” he said. When asked if he thinks the project would be beneficial to the city, Rama said “when you already have property being sold, whatever is done as long as not illegal, city government will just be hoping and earnestly praying that conversion will be for economic, social cultural and intellectual outcome."
So it is in the same breathe of transparency, that I ask that the good Mayor be transparent in how this case will be looked into. I also hope that he will listen to what the citizens are saying about it (from both sides, by all means).I'm also curious as to what the national agencies think about this case.
As for the statement of Vice President of Sales and Marketing Armi Cortes:
"Cortes said all animals will be taken cared of just like in the existing Ocean Park in Manila. With this, Cortes is inviting those against the marine-themed park, particularly those who petitioned against its construction in Cebu, to visit the Ocean Park in Manila to see for themselves that the management has not been remiss in taking care of the animals."
An opportunity for dialogue, this is most welcome.
However, in the interest of critical thinking, I'll put this on the table. The issue still stands -- Is it okay to pull animals out of their natural habitat -- collect them, harvest them (be it a sample of a population only) -- put them in a park, for profit? Secondly, should the choice have to boil down between conservation and protection of species versus profit, what would an ocean park choose? Curious case, this one.
Updates
Reached 1,000 supporters
March 12, 2016
March 12, 2016
The silence from the developers is heavy but it reveals exactly how little they care about the suffering behind these attractions. I am exhausted by the slow pace of this fight yet I refuse to let these animals be forgotten for the sake of a weekend spectacle.
Reached 100 supporters
March 11, 2016
March 9, 2016
The climb toward one thousand signatures is grueling but the opposition is watching our progress. I am exhausted from the silence on their end yet we must force them to acknowledge this demand before momentum fades.
March 8, 2016
The climb toward one hundred names is exhausting but necessary if we want to be taken seriously by the developers. I am tired of seeing these animals treated as props for entertainment. Please help push this over the line so that our opposition cannot be ignored.
639 Comments
Good luck with this project, I wouldn't invest and anyone with a brain wouldn't either, people are starting to lose interest in this park prisons for marine mammals, I see this project sinking and after Tilikum at SeaWorld Orlando dies, there is going to be HUGE backlash!
The Philippines DOES NOT NEED another marine theme park! Our waters are the best marine attraction in the world. Any "Ocean Park" would just be a cheap imitation, and why would anyone have to pay or go to a cheap imitation?
I prefer to watch and play with them at their natural habitat than putting them in prison in a so called auquarium park. Better establish more marine protected sanctuary and invest in there so we can address food security, healthy seas and healthy people for a healthy planet
We do not need this! We already have Tañon Strait and Bohol Strait, a much larger marine theme park if you like. They better contribute on the protection of our marine species that they pretend to enjoy in their Marine Theme Park.
Absolutely out-of-date and revolting to keep animals captive like this. Why not just build a beautiful free public park (and charge rent for weddings, concerts and events to make money). You'd get more people and more credit. God knows Cebu needs parks.
I was blind to the world of Ocean Parks and I thought it would be a lovely idea to visit the Manila Ocean Park on vacation. They had tanks too small for 1 shark housing 6+ sharks. In the opening exhibit you are shown a tank maybe 20ft x 10ft x 8ft housing around 5 arapaima. This tank is way less space than even a single arapaima needs. This park was genuinely a place of horrors and I can't shake the images from my head.
I've always been against animal captivity.
Share Petition
Don't stop at signing, share the petition link with friends to multiply our impact
Copy link or share directly
The plans for the marine park have been officially scrapped. I am drained from this fight but the relief of knowing those animals stay free is worth every bit of the struggle.
March 25, 2016
Final supporters
This one is for you, Tilikum.
NOTE: There are updates as you read down the page. The first part was the original statement, followed by the next releases.
-------
March 11 - "It will also have an amphitheater, where dolphin and sea lion shows will be held."
Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/local-news/2016/03/...
There are more sustainable and humane ways to promote awareness for wildlife. Certainly, there are more humane ways to keep animals in captivity apart from just keeping us entertained during boring weekends or holidays. Research facilities that promote awareness and conservation exist to help species propagate so they can continue to exist in the wild, eventually. What aquariums like this do is counter the effects being done by these conservation efforts. They create demand to PULL these wild animals out of their NATURAL HABITATS so they can be put in a big cage, such as an amphitheater for our amusement.
Let's help stop this.
Here are some updates:
- March 12 - No dolphin, whales on display - exec: Uproar over SRP marine park
Source: http://www.philstar.com:8080/cebu-news/2016/03/12/1562172/no-dolphin-whales-display-exec-uproar-over-srp-marine-park - March 13 - Petition vs Cebu Ocean Park gains ground
Source: http://www.philstar.com:8080/cebu-news/2016/03/13/... - March 13 - Cebu Ocean Park project draws flak
Source: http://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/89192/89192
Now they're saying there won't be any dolphin shows in the park, and the animals will be under good care. But it's not just about the dolphin shows, is it?
This is not just about the whales, dolphins, and sharks -- this is about all the other marine flora and fauna, especially those that are already endangered, that are being taken out of their natural habitats. It doesn't matter if you are just "taking a sample from a population", the fact remains you're purposefully taking them out of their natural habitat, to confine them in a tank for profit. There is still no excuse for that.
To educate the people? Are the benefits of "educating" those who will pay to enter worth the detriments -- i.e. the cementing of the mentality that it's okay to pull wildlife out of their habitat? Do people really go there to be educated and be influenced to save the seas? Maybe. But herein lies the irony, they just contributed to its demise by going to the place where they wish to learn how to save it. And the establishment just enabled it.
Sometimes the best type of learning is to teach our nation is through actions backed up principles. I've said it to a reporter, and I will say it again -- I’m concerned about it because of the principle behind the act -- Should we, as a nation, support projects that allow capture of wildlife, so they can be put in aquariums for entertainment, and profit? As a citizen, I’ve learned there’s something terribly wrong with that, regardless of where the project is put. That’s the principle behind the concern.
- March 14- Mayor Rama to look into Ocean Park operation
http://www.philstar.com/cebu-news/2016/03/14/15628...
In the spirit of fairness, transparency and dialogue, posting the reply of the Mayor and Management to the issue. Full report is on the link above. Briefly, the Mayor is looking going to look into the Ocean Park operation, but does not see any need to speak with Management of the park just yet:
“The position of the city government, obviously it has to be on the basis of attribute of ownership,” he said. When asked if he thinks the project would be beneficial to the city, Rama said “when you already have property being sold, whatever is done as long as not illegal, city government will just be hoping and earnestly praying that conversion will be for economic, social cultural and intellectual outcome."
So it is in the same breathe of transparency, that I ask that the good Mayor be transparent in how this case will be looked into. I also hope that he will listen to what the citizens are saying about it (from both sides, by all means).I'm also curious as to what the national agencies think about this case.
As for the statement of Vice President of Sales and Marketing Armi Cortes:
"Cortes said all animals will be taken cared of just like in the existing Ocean Park in Manila. With this, Cortes is inviting those against the marine-themed park, particularly those who petitioned against its construction in Cebu, to visit the Ocean Park in Manila to see for themselves that the management has not been remiss in taking care of the animals."
An opportunity for dialogue, this is most welcome.
However, in the interest of critical thinking, I'll put this on the table. The issue still stands -- Is it okay to pull animals out of their natural habitat -- collect them, harvest them (be it a sample of a population only) -- put them in a park, for profit? Secondly, should the choice have to boil down between conservation and protection of species versus profit, what would an ocean park choose? Curious case, this one.
Updates
Reached 1,000 supporters
March 12, 2016
March 12, 2016
The silence from the developers is heavy but it reveals exactly how little they care about the suffering behind these attractions. I am exhausted by the slow pace of this fight yet I refuse to let these animals be forgotten for the sake of a weekend spectacle.
Reached 100 supporters
March 11, 2016
March 9, 2016
The climb toward one thousand signatures is grueling but the opposition is watching our progress. I am exhausted from the silence on their end yet we must force them to acknowledge this demand before momentum fades.
March 8, 2016
The climb toward one hundred names is exhausting but necessary if we want to be taken seriously by the developers. I am tired of seeing these animals treated as props for entertainment. Please help push this over the line so that our opposition cannot be ignored.
639 Comments
As someone with family living on Bohol, and who has lived on Panglao Island, I can say with certainty that the residence of this region would NOT support such a cruel business. How can we continue to treat animals, such inspiring, smart animals this way?
Good luck with this project, I wouldn't invest and anyone with a brain wouldn't either, people are starting to lose interest in this park prisons for marine mammals, I see this project sinking and after Tilikum at SeaWorld Orlando dies, there is going to be HUGE backlash!
The Philippines DOES NOT NEED another marine theme park! Our waters are the best marine attraction in the world. Any "Ocean Park" would just be a cheap imitation, and why would anyone have to pay or go to a cheap imitation?
I prefer to watch and play with them at their natural habitat than putting them in prison in a so called auquarium park. Better establish more marine protected sanctuary and invest in there so we can address food security, healthy seas and healthy people for a healthy planet
We do not need this! We already have Tañon Strait and Bohol Strait, a much larger marine theme park if you like. They better contribute on the protection of our marine species that they pretend to enjoy in their Marine Theme Park.
Absolutely out-of-date and revolting to keep animals captive like this. Why not just build a beautiful free public park (and charge rent for weddings, concerts and events to make money). You'd get more people and more credit. God knows Cebu needs parks.
I was blind to the world of Ocean Parks and I thought it would be a lovely idea to visit the Manila Ocean Park on vacation. They had tanks too small for 1 shark housing 6+ sharks. In the opening exhibit you are shown a tank maybe 20ft x 10ft x 8ft housing around 5 arapaima. This tank is way less space than even a single arapaima needs. This park was genuinely a place of horrors and I can't shake the images from my head.
I've always been against animal captivity.
Share Petition
Don't stop at signing, share the petition link with friends to multiply our impact
Petitions like this
Other petitions you might want to support
Scan to share
Anyone who scans this can sign the petition.
As someone with family living on Bohol, and who has lived on Panglao Island, I can say with certainty that the residence of this region would NOT support such a cruel business. How can we continue to treat animals, such inspiring, smart animals this way?