zoo

Stanley Park and Animal Relief Endorsement (S.P.A.R.E),
No Aquarium Expansion

Hi Peter, sorry I've been away / busy / more away and I just got to answering your email. With my views on animal cruelty, the answers are quite obvious.

1. YES I support the Stanley Park and Animal Relief Endorsement (SPARE) to spare all Vancouver Aquarium expansions. If elected, I will immediately present it as a resolution and fight for implementation.

2. YES I support the referendum question and would make sure it's asked at the next election.

I want to correct these problems that exist but I need to votes to do that. Help spread the word how ever you can so I can put a stop to the madness.

Peace and thanks, Joe

p.s. I just put a forum on my website so we can attract people to read and discuss what needs to be done. www.604industries.com/votejoe

In reply to:

VOTE VOTE FOR CANDIDATES WHO WILL:
Prohibit the proposed Vancouver Aquarium Expansion in order to stop
the suffering of cetaceans, more zoo captives and
the destruction of Stanley Park green space.

Open Letter to All Parties/Candidates:
Lifeforce would like to ask all parties and candidates that if elected would they endorse a resolution to protect animals and Stanley Park? Also, if elected, would they request a referendum question to stop all further Vancouver Aquarium expansions in order to protect animals and Stanley Park?

1. Do you support the following Stanley Park and Animal Relief Endorsement (SPARE) in order to spare all from further Vancouver Aquarium expansions. If elected, you would immediately present it as a resolution.

Stanley Park and Animal Relief Endorsement (SPARE)

WHEREAS it was the intent of the lease agreement to restrict any further expansions of the Vancouver Aquarium in Stanley Park (no more land without Park Board approval);

WHEREAS a previous joint Park Board and Vancouver Aquarium Public Statement stated that the last beluga pool expansion was designed for three belugas and no more belugas would be captured. However, when one died three more belugas were captured. This resulted in overcrowding and abnormal aggression with some being confined to a 50' x 50’ research pool for over two years;

WHEREAS aquarium pools cannot provide the "ocean" space needed to humanely keep social groups that are found in the wild. In captivity cetaceans suffer psychologically and physically since their behavioral and social needs cannot be met;

WHEREAS the Vancouver Aquarium continues to try to breed, to split up families and to supply dolphins for the worldwide dolphin slave trade;

WHEREAS the Vancouver Aquarium continues to import dolphins and has violated the Parks Control Bylaw in order to do so;

WHEREAS buying Pacific White-sided Dolphins from Japan supports their brutal drive fisheries because the aquarium purchases is their primary financial incentive;

WHEREAS the Vancouver Aquarium continues to import whales and dolphins to overcrowd the pools in order to try to justify expansion of the whale pools;

WHEREAS the public voted against a zoo in Stanley Park;

WHEREAS the Vancouver Aquarium expansion would result in new zoo exhibits with more animals and some of the species are associated with the old Stanley Park Zoo;

WHEREAS the proposed Aquarium Expansion plan would destroy precious green space in Stanley Park. Stanley Park is a free ecology classroom with a diversity of wildlife and natural habitats - a gift of nature providing a vital link between people and wildlife. The park is a true legacy and an urban sanctuary that would be threatened. Stanley Park must be protected for future generations;

WHEREAS the Vancouver Aquarium started the last whale pool expansion before a the Federal Government could conduct an environmental impact study;

AND WHEREAS any further encroachment by the Vancouver Aquarium into Stanley Park would result in numerous adverse impacts;

BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the (Vancouver City Council/Vancouver Park Board/Vancouver School Board) does not support any further expansion of the Vancouver Aquarium because it would continue to increase the number of cetaceans in captivity; increase the number of animals in new zoo exhibits and encroach upon precious Stanley Park.

YES___NO___

2. Do you support the following referendum question. If elected, you would request the question for the 2008 election:

DO YOU OPPOSE ANY EXPANSION PLANS THAT WOULD ALLOW THE VANCOUVER AQUARIUM TO BRING IN MORE WHALES AND DOLPHINS, IMPRISON NEW ZOO ANIMALS AND DESTROY PRECIOUS STANLEY PARK GREEN SPACE?
YES___NO___

Thank you
Peter Hamilton
Make your vote count for the animals and Stanley Park.
The voiceless animals and Stanley Park are depending on you.

Hi Peter, a lot of things going on in our world are extremely disturbing and disgusting, including things that are accepted by mainstream. The way so many animals suffer as pets and how birds sit in cages like decorations. The dolphin trade is just another disturbing example of this ignorance. Things definitely need to change, on a global scale. I am scared of what will happen to Vancouver and the world if I am not elected, knowing that whomever is elected will not even attempt to correct many of the problems I can't help but notice. It may sound funny but I want to save the Earth and by being elected mayor I think I can do it. With the knowledge I have and the resources that would be available, I see a great opportunity to make a huge difference. I hope you can help me help the rest of us who see the importance of correcting all these mistakes that have unfortunately been made.

Joe Hatoum

In reply to:

To:
Vancouver Parks Board Commissioners
Vancouver Mayor and Council
From:
Peter Hamilton
Re:
Vancouver Aquarium buying Dolphins from Japan

I would like to advise you of the upcoming program.
THURSDAY OCTOBER 27th

ABC NEWS PRIMETIME

"The Dark Side of the International Trade in Live Dolphins"

This PRIMETIME segment could feature Ric O'Barry of One Voice - France; David Phillips, of Earth Island Institutes's International Marine Mammal Project; and international dolphin-trader Chris Porter who has worked at/for the Vancouver Aquarium.

For more than a year organizations have been pressing for a nationwide television segment exposing the impacts on dolphins from sale and transport to marine parks. Organizations throughout the world have been campaigning to stop the killing, live-capture, and trafficking in dolphins.

Be aware that some of the footage of the dolphin captures is quite graphic.

The ABC national coverage comes just two weeks after international demonstrations calling on the Japanese government to stop granting permits allowing the drive-fishery in Japan to kill thousands of dolphins every year and selling dolphins to aquariums.