Keiko-Norwegian ambassadors letter (USA)

[Guest guest]

I don't know if you have seen this letter from the Norwegian Ambassador, but

it looks like Norway is saying NO to capturing Keiko. There are many here

in

the US that feel the same way, we do not want to see Keiko captured again.

Keiko will never be like other orcas, he is unique, he CAN make choices.

 

Margaret Templeton

Almatemp

 

 

Official reply from Knut Volleback, Norwegian ambassador to the United

States, Washington, DC, to Florida Senator Bob Graham regarding Miami

Seaquarium's bid to capture and display Keiko.

 

 

 

Royal Norwegian Embassy

Washington DC

The Ambassador

 

24 September 2002

 

The Honorable

Bob Graham

United States Senator

Tallahassee, Florida

 

Dear Senator Graham,

 

Reference is made to your letter of September 7, 2002.

 

First of all I would like to say that according to the reports I have got

from the fisheries authorities in Norway, Keiko is doing well and he is

getting a lot of support. Consequently, there is no immediate need for a

rescue operation now. Local veterinarians and animal welfare authorities

supervise the whale and the conditions surrounding him.

 

Norway will not make any problems for the project that has been going on

since 1999 with the approval of the relevant U.S. authorities. These

authorities still supervise the project.

 

In principle we are skeptical to keeping huge animals like whales in

captivity. In Norway there is no tradition for that. Also, we regard it as

problematic in an animal welfare perspective to send the whale on the long

voyage from Norway to Florida. At the moment the whale has a freedom that

makes it possible for him to make choices. He is not in conditions that

will stress him.

 

However, we do not doubt that Keiko would get good support in Miami, but it

would be a great step back to put him in an aquarium again.

 

Finally, I would like to assure you that the people in Halsa are now very

much attached to Keiko, and would not like to see him depart.

 

Sincerely,

 

Knut Volleback