This weekend, a happening took place in the center of Nice. An action organized by the citizen collective GAC (Anti-Captivity Group) to raise awareness about the living and detention conditions of cetaceans and other animals in dolphinariums.
Sunday afternoon, the sun was blazing on Place Masséna, but that did not stop the demonstrators from being present to participate in the happening organized by the GAC collective. About forty people, including members of the One Voice association, remained static and silent from 3 PM to 5 PM, in order to denounce and inform about the captivity of cetaceans in water parks like Marineland. “No to captivity,” “enough is enough” were strong messages inscribed on the signs. The group also set up the equivalent of a marine cemetery, with signs representing tombstones, such as “Kay, 1979-1982, Captured in the wild.”
A desire to inform people
“Our primary goal is to highlight the living and captivity conditions of cetaceans, and other animals in dolphinariums,” explains Corinne Bouvot, founder of the GAC. Created in 2017, the group began by organizing a large anti-captivity campaign through giant stickers that they placed on their vehicles. It was from 2018 that they began on-site protests. It is through numerous actions that they attempt to alert and inform about the situation because, “the deprivation of freedom is a source of great suffering for wild animals, even if they were born in captivity,” adds Corinne Bouvot. But also because “the life expectancy in a park is extremely reduced, there are many stillbirths, miscarriages. No orca has lived more than 35 years in the park, whereas in the wild they can live up to 80 years,” continues the founder of the GAC.
Numerous demonstrations
About thirty demonstrations have been carried out by the Anti-Captivity Group. In front of the Marineland park in Antibes, on the Promenade des Anglais in Nice, or at Place Masséna. These events gather many people. Such was the case at the demonstration organized by the group, which took place in mid-August, in front of the park. 114 local, national, and international associations were present, as well as 255 activists. The biggest actions take place during the summer, in front of Marineland, partly to raise awareness among tourists. “Generally in June, July, and August, we position ourselves in front of the park; we are there to engage tourists who are the bulk of Marineland’s clientele,” explains Corinne Bouvot.
The next demonstration is scheduled for October 11 at 2:30 PM, Place Masséna.
