Paul bids to save whales
PAUL O’Grady has called on Thomas Cook to boycott SeaWorld over its alleged treatment of killer whales.
The comic has put his name to a 20,000-signature petition by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).
They want SeaWorld to stop displaying orcas, better known as killer whales, and other marine mammals at its parks in the US.
Paul said: “Selling tickets to SeaWorld condemns orcas to a life sentence in a barren prison cell.
“We know so much more about wild animals today than we did decades ago.
“I hope you’ll agree we can no longer continue to exploit them for human entertainment.
“At least 41 orcas have died at SeaWorld, and not one died of old age.”
The letter notes that at SeaWorld, young orcas are separated from their mothers – with whom, in the wild, they often spend their entire lives.
In nature, orcas travel up to 100 miles a day, but in captivity, they have no choice but to swim in circles in tiny tanks.
Paul adds: “I hope Thomas Cook, as the UK’s oldest and most renowned travel provider, will join the growing list of institutions which have severed ties with SeaWorld. Until then, I won’t book it – I won’t Thomas Cook it.”
As part of the campaign PETA organised protests outside more than 80 Thomas Cook branches.
Thomas Cook have failed to respond to a request for a comment on the petition.