Unhappy Morgan at Loro Parque

Concerns for the welfare of Morgan following her transfer to Loro Parque, Tenerife continue to grow as shocking footage recently obtained shows the smaller Morgan clearly being 'bullied' by the other larger (female) orcas.

In the footage Morgan can be seen being chased, cornered, butted and raked by the orcas (in one instance pieces of her skin are visible floating in the water).

In the wild this would not happen as a young orca would have the protection of its' family, or at worst would be able to move away to another area - Morgan, sadly, does not have this option. Trapped in a tank, she is unable to escape the onslaught of the other orcas and has to continually move to try to avoid the worst of any attack on her. Images received show park staff with Morgan in an isolation pool, clearly investigating bites to her dorsal and other injuries.

Marine Connection director Margaux Dodds comments; "Sadly the marine park appears to be willing to tolerate this victimisation of a young orca rather than allow her the opportunity to be returned to he wild and possibly reunited with her kin? The Marine Connection will continue to work alongside colleagues around the world calling for Morgan to be given the opportunity to be rehabilitated before it is too late. Morgan is slowly being brainwashed to perform for food, to live the remainder of her life in captivity - to lose any aspect of her 'wild' self. How can this be the best option for Morgan? The industry argue she would not survive in the wild and would suffer if given the opportunity of release. Even if this were true, would her suffering be greater or less than she is now being subjected to?".

Anyone who cares for Morgan's future must surely listen to the appeal for her to be given a chance to return to her natural home. The plans, funding and the expertise to do this are all in place - all we need now is sense to prevail rather than profit.