President Thomas Bach International Olympic Committee Château de Vidy Case postale 356 1001 Lausanne Switzerland Daniel Turner Born Free Foundation 3 Grove House Foundry Lane Horsham West Sussex RH13 5PL UK Email: [email protected] 22nd January 2014 cc. Mr Alexander Zhukov, Russian Olympic Committee Dear Mr Bach, We write to you on behalf of 30 national and international wildlife protection organisations, together representing millions of citizens, to express our concern about the reported planned use of captive whales and dolphins in the run up to, and during, the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. Specifically, we would like to draw your attention to the recent wild-capture of orcas in Far East Russian waters and their planned display in Sochi, reportedly for the Olympics, to provide public entertainment, and further, the reported planned use of an endangered Black Sea bottlenose dolphin during the Olympic Torch relay. Concerned for the protection of these animals and minded that both of these activities seemingly contradict the objectives of the Olympic Movement to protect biodiversity, as well as the Sochi Olympics’ stated goal to be in ‘harmony with nature’, we would like to bring these matters to your attention and request urgent clarification of your plans. Orcas, also known as killer whales, are a species of dolphin. They live in family groups, are highly sociable, display self-awareness and differing cultures, with numerous scientific studies confirming them to be amongst the most intelligent animals in our oceans. Their recent capture, from Russian waters in the Sea of Okhotsk, was undoubtedly traumatic for those individuals, as well as their family members, and keeping them in captive conditions, where their biological and behavioural needs are compromised, is likely to be extremely detrimental to their long-term survival. The testimonials presented in the 2013 film documentary, Blackfish, have confirmed that the keeping of orca in captivity is likely to cause both mental and physical suffering as well as reduce their average lifespan. Surely this should not be the legacy of the 2014 Winter Olympic Games, especially in view of the organiser’s desire to promote respect for nature. As President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), we would welcome your personal and immediate intervention. Specifically, we ask you to stop the inclusion of the endangered Black Sea bottlenose dolphin (from a Sochi dolphinarium) in the Olympic Torch relay and, in addition, ensure that future Olympic Games fully recognise international legislation and do not jeopardise the welfare of individual animals. Recognising Article 13 of the European Treaty and other international laws, we would also like to request your advice as to how the IOC’s Section 3.2.10 of Agenda 21 could be amended to ensure future Games do not compromise the physical, biological and behavioural needs of animals. In addition, we ask that you consider endorsing a request to the relevant Russian Authorities seeking an investigation into the feasibility of establishing a rehabilitation and release programme for the orcas which have been captured. Should the use of these animals go ahead, not only will it taint the sporting spectacle that we all anticipate but it will generate significant, negative, international criticism of the Games, the host government and the IOC. Already these concerns are being expressed globally through social media. Representing supporters in over 20 countries, the below signatories would like to respectfully request that you investigate these issues, seek a commitment from the Russian Olympic Federation and the Government to abandon these plans and advise us of the outcome. Without question we wish the Sochi Winter Games well and hope they will be successful but not at the price of this form of unnecessary and unacceptable animal exploitation. Respectfully, Sylvia Frey Director Science & Education, OceanCare www.oceancare.org Arpan Sharma Director, External Relations, Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organisations www.fiapo.org Cathy Williamson Captivity Programme Manager, Whale & Dolphin Conservation www.whales.org Dylan Walker Secretariat, World Cetacean Alliance www.worldcetaceanalliance.org Naomi A. Rose, PhD Marine Mammal Scientist, Animal Welfare Institute www.awionline.org Alison Hood Programmes Director, Born Free Foundation www.bornfree.org.uk Mark Simmonds Senior Marine Scientist, Humane Society International www.hsi.org Daniel Turner Coordinator, ENDCAP www.endcap.eu And with the support of the following organisations: ANDA (Spain) Dauphins Libres (Belgium) Orca Network (USA) AnimaNaturalis (Spain) FAADA (Spain) One Voice (France) Animal Public (Germany) Marevivo (Italy) LAV (Italy) ProWildlife (Germany) Code Animal (France) Born Free USA SOSDelfines.org (European) Cetacean Society International (USA) Orca Research Trust (New Zealand) Punta Norte Orca Research (Argentina) Whale Rescue (New Zealand) Free Morgan Foundation Be As One Foundation Women for Whales Orca Rescues www.orcarescues.org Responsible Travel Correspondence should be returned to: Daniel Turner Born Free Foundation 3 Grove House, Foundry Lane Horsham West Sussex RH13 5PL UK Email: [email protected]