Latest News

Back to Latest News back

 

China’s Chimelong Group opens killer whale breeding facility

China’s Chimelong Group opens killer whale breeding facility
March 8, 2017

Aiming to meet apparent demand by the Chinese public to see more killer whales in zoos and visitor attraction, China’s Chimelong Group, one of the country’s biggest amusement park operators, opened the first ever breeding centre forthe cetaceans.

Chian’s Xinhua news agency reported that the facility opened at the Chimelong Ocean Kingdom park in the south eastern city of Zhuhai, at the end of February.

According to a media release, a total of nine killer whales (also known as orcas), including five males and four females aged between five to 13 years, are being kept in the breeding facility.

The media release explains that the facility aims to “help cultivate the public’s awareness of whale protection, develop related studies, and progress toward killer-whale breeding.”

Referred to as the Killer Whale Breeding Base, the facility employs a team of 30 people to take care of the marine animals, offering “round the clock care”.

The Chimelong media release also advised that the Breeding Base will also regularly invite domestic and foreign veterinary experts and animal experts to visit the breeding centre, to help assist in the development of health care monitoring and treatment.

Chimelong’s move into whale breeding comes as attractions and zooz around the world are shutting down similar facilities. More than a dozen countries including Switzerland, India, and Chile, as well as some states in the USA, have banned killer whale captivity. SeaWorld, one of America’s biggest theme parks, is phasing out its killer whale program in the face of increasing opposition from animal rights and environmental groups.

However, China’s fascination with killer whales and other exotic animals is seeing theme parks, along with malls and restaurants, increase their provision of animal attractions.

An aquarium in Changsha recently bred a beluga whale in captivity, and a polar bear kept in a mall in Guangzhou made global headlines last year after it was dubbed the ‘world’s saddest polar bear’ because of its poor conditions in captivity.

Animal rights groups such as People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and The Orca Project have long objected to the practice of whale captivity and breeding, arguing that captive orcas generally have a shorter lifespan than their wild counterparts and that many whales suffer psychological stress while in captivity. 

According to the Born Free Foundation, more than 2,100 dolphins and whales are being held in captivity at 343 facilities in 63 countries around the world, the majority in Japan, China, the USA, Russia and Mexico. 

Citing this information, the Hong Kong Dolphin Conservation Society explained “killer whales in captivity generally have a shorter lifespan than wild killer whales,” adding that Chimelong’s practice might encourage the “the surging aquarium industry in China.”

Lower image shows the Chimelong Killer Whale Breeding Base. Courtesy of the Xinhua news agency

28th February 2017 - SOUTH KOREAN AUTHORITIES INVESTIGATE AQUARIA FOLLOWING DOLPHIN DEATH

11th February 2017 - ANIMAL RIGHTS PROTESTERS DISRUPT SEA WORLD DOLPHIN SHOW 

15th November 2016 - INVESTMENTS IN CHINA’S THEME PARKS DRIVING ASIAN TOURISM

15th October 2016 - TRIPADVISOR BANS TICKET SALES TO ATTRACTIONS THAT ALLOW CONTACT WITH WILD ANIMALS

6th April 2016 - ANIMAL EXHIBITS AT CHINESE MALL DUBBED THE ‘WORST ZOO IN THE WORLD’

22nd March 2016 - SEAWORLD USA TO MOVE AWAY FROM KILLER WHALE SHOWS

5th June 2015 - ASIAN MARKET DRIVES EXPANDING GLOBAL THEME PARK ATTENDANCES

22nd May 2015 - JAPANESE AQUARIUMS TO STOP TAKING DOLPHINS FROM ANNUAL TAIJI HUNT 

14th February 2014 - HENGQIN ISLAND CHIMELONG RESORT ATTRACTS 500,000 VISITORS DURING ITS FIRST 10 DAYS 

25th July 2013 - OCEAN KINGDOM PROJECT THE FIRST STAGE IN DEVELOPING THE ‘ORLANDO OF CHINA’


Asking a small favour
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

The news we publish at www.ausleisure.com.au is independent, credible (we hope) and free for you to access, with no pay walls and no annoying pop-up ads.

However, as an independent publisher, can we ask for you to support us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine - if you don't already do so.

Published bi-monthly since 1997, the printed Australasian Leisure Management differs from this website in that it publishes longer, in-depth and analytical features covering aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues management.

Subscriptions cost just $90 a year.

Click here to subscribe.

 

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.

 

supplier directory

The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.

See the directory see all

Pico Play

Pico Play is a global leader in the planning, design, development and construction of world-class themed attractions and entertainment that deliver extraordinary and memorable experiences to millions…

read more

Attractions / Consultants / Design / Recreation / Tourism

 
 

METRA Australia

With industry leading solutions in design and durability you can improve your facilities with our access control operations, payment systems and flexible personal locker storage solutions. Your…

read more

Aquatics / Attractions / Fitness / Recreation / Security

 
 

Aussie Strength

Commercial gym equipment supplier Aussie Strength was wound up at the end of 2022.    .aussie p { padding:20px; }

read more

Fitness / Technology / Wellness

 
 

BODY BIKE APAC

BODY BIKE® International is a leading manufacturer of indoor bikes with a 20-year track record of creating the best indoor bikes. Stay connected with Body Bike Australia…

read more

Fitness / Recreation / Sport / Technology / Wellness

 
 

SimplySwim

    SimplySwim is a school management solution that helps swimming school owners and managers optimize operations by automating functions such as managing class schedules, billing and…

read more

Aquatics / Education / Recreation / Safety / Technology

 
 

Spill Station Australia

Compliant chemical storage and decanting solutions. Includes spill kits, spill containment pallets, chemical decanting decks and safety shower and eyewash equipment. See our full range of solutions

read more

Aquatics / Safety / Security / Venues

 
 

TicketSearch Pty Ltd

TicketSearch is focused on providing businesses, organisations, and venues with affordable, efficient, and powerful self-managed ticketing solutions. The organisation has offices in Australia, New…

read more

Attractions / Entertainment / Technology / Ticketing / Venues

 
 
 
 
 

get listed with our suppliers directory

Get your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!

list your business