New Low: Despite Public Disdain, A Dolphin Aquarium Has Arrived In Lebanon

In March, a petition to stop Cirque Du Liban’s plans to bring a Dolphin Aquarium to Lebanon spread across social media platforms throughout the country.

Since then, we are sad to see that Cirque Du Liban has moved forward with its plans, marking a new low for animal welfare in Lebanon.

The ‘circus’ organization has recently begun its advertising campaign around Lebanon, shamelessly boasting their plans to partake in mindless animal abuse for the sole purpose of human entertainment.

Whether or not you’re aware of the biology of dolphins, these kinds of marine life shows cannot be described as anything other than animal abuse. Watch the documentary Blackfish for a quick guide to depths of this abuse, and you’re sure to agree that such establishments should be banned in Lebanon and throughout the world.

As a result of vehement public outcry following the release of Blackfish, the world-famous Aquarium Seaworld recently announced that they have ended their Shamu shows in San Diego, and that their flagship Aquarium in Orlando will soon do so too, as well as a promise to end the breeding of Orcas (whales belonging to the dolphin family) at all of their facilities.

So, what does Lebanon decide to do? Take a failing industry whose failure is based on the advancement of human morals elsewhere in the world and bring that industry to Lebanon, because surely our moral compasses will need a few more decades to reach the level where we can recognize that animal abuse is wrong.

On posters that are being shoved in our faces on billboards throughout Beirut and boosted on social media, Cirque Du Liban encourages you to visit the ‘Dolphinarium’ – why, you ask? “Stop by Our Dolphinarium Facing Forum de Beyrouth to Enjoy The Show. Don’t Forget to take a Photo and Swim with the Dolphins,” their advertisements read. Of course! Why do we do anything at all these days? Let’s actively partake in the suffering of one of the world’s most sentient species for the sake of an insta-worthy shot that is bound to get you hundreds of likes.

It’s another sad day for Lebanese – not just for animal lovers, but as human beings who are seemingly incapable of being sentient, empathetic, or even respectful to life in all its forms.

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