Vancouver aquarium won't keep whales or dolphins captive after public outcry

Canada aquarium has announced it will end the practice of keeping cetaceans in captivity, after pressure from the public

For years the Vancouver aquarium fended off pressure from animal right activists, local government and residents, arguing instead that whales and dolphins were central to its mission. But this week the tourist attraction gave in to public pressure, and announced that it would end the practice of keeping cetaceans in captivity.

"It had become a local hot topic, to the point where it was just hijacking everything else," said John Nightingale, the aquarium's president.