Despite overwhelming evidence provided by world renowned orca researchers, scientists and advocates, as members of the Free Morgan Foundation, the best interests of Morgan have not been met. It has been designated that she will be sent to a life of permanent captivity in a barren concrete tank. Realistically this is nothing short of a death sentence for Morgan as orca in captivity only live an average of 8.5 years, compared to more than 50 years in the wild. It is disgraceful that a country such as the Netherlands, known around the world for their humanitarian and animal welfare compassion, should have allowed this to happen. Clearly, ulterior motivations such as money and entertainment have presided over the welfare interests of Morgan.
Unfortunately, because of constrains in the European/National law, the Judge could not decide for Morgan to be rehabilitated and released. Therefore, Morgan will be the poster-child for our continuing fight against this barbaric and antiquated form of entertainment. In the same way that dancing bears have been phased out, so too will be the way of places such as the Dolfinarium Harderwijk. Our long-term goal of establishing laws to ever prevent an animal in need, being turned into an animal used for profit and personal gain, will not stop with Morgan’s incarceration.
“Personally, I am devastated that after all these months of fighting the good fight, to find that reason and science lost over money and ulterior motives. It is sad to see that non-profit organizations are bullied and overridden by corporate greed and unjust laws.”
– Dr Ingrid N. Visser
“I find it unbelievable that we point a finger at countries with barbaric activities such as dancing bears, yet, here in our very own country we allow the equivalent to happen with such a highly intelligent species such as orca.”
– Jan van Twillert
“I believe that justice has taken a hard blow today, I think that all the good premises were there for the Netherlands to do the right thing and to show the world that the way animals are treated should and can change. Once again private interests, insensitivity and political constrains won over good sense and science.”
– Lara Pozzato
“It is unbelievable that it is possible to imprison a wild intelligent animal for profit, under the guise of rescue.”
– Jenny van Twillert
“With this ruling Morgan has been condemned to a short life in the entertainment business, but she is still an excellent candidate for return to her home waters. We could learn so much about orcas by doing so, but there’s money to be made at the circus gate.”
– Howard Garrett
It is heartbreaking that Morgan has been sentenced to a life of stress, forced breeding, poor health and social strife. A life that will be cut short, all for profit and a crude form of entertainment. Thanks goes to the FMF, for fighting the good fight.
– Carol Ray, former killer whale trainer
“Wow. I was hopeful that the Dutch Government would make an evidence-based decision. Poor Morgan is now sentenced to a life with broken teeth in an acoustically dead concrete pond. This reminds me of ‘Planet of the Apes.’ Except this time, we’re the Apes!”
– Jeffrey Ventre MD, former killer whale trainer, SeaWorld of Florida
“I am devastated that even after we could show that wild orcas still exist in northern Norway and that it is possible to find Morgan’s relatives and she has a fair chance of being returned to a wild life, she will put to life sentence in captivity to entertain people!”
– Heike Vester
“WDCS is disheartened to learn that a court in Amsterdam has decided that Morgan should be transferred from the Netherlands to remain in captivity at the Loro Parque zoo in the Canary Islands. We now fear for Morgan’s health and welfare as she will be introduced into a new captive environment, to orcas who are strangers to her and to the circus-style shows at Loro Parque. In captivity, orcas suffer a significantly reduced survival rate, low breeding success and stress, which can lead to aggression between themselves and towards trainers, illness and even death.”
– Rob Lott, The Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, (WDCS).
“I am deeply saddened that the decision makers have denied Morgan the perspective to someday enjoy the rich and fulfilling togetherness with her family, despite the strong evidence and resources in favor of her rehabilitation.”
– Astrid van Ginneken
“What an unreal and dismaying decision! Despite all the evidence and arguments in favour of Morgan being given a chance – from knowledge about her probable origins, to a practical plan worked out in great detail, to the promise of funding, and solid community support in Norway – the Court has ruled against her. In doing so, it has condemned Morgan to a short and dreadful life behind barren walls. How terribly sad.”
Dr. Paul Spong
“It is unfortunate that we continue to be manipulated by the power of economics over clear science and what is best for the welfare of this one individual killer whale. I am saddened to hear of today’s verdict. We are cheating ourselves and the next generation too.”
Jean-Michel Cousteau
Sad times ;_(
Animals are not to be captured and used. They are living creatures that deserve a happy life, like we all do.
Let’s not give up on Morgan and continue with the fight to free her. After all, miracles occur.
What a lesson my kids will learn about humanity when they return from school. They will say ‘what now?’. We continue the fight that’s what – for all the captives.
I find it disgusting that 1 man or a small group can decide the fate of wild animals. It should be up to the people of the world not some small minded uneducated moron.
A sad world we live in.
I am appalled by the courts decision.
Apparently Justice only serves the economy.
The Puppetmasters win again.
This verdict is a death sentence, inprisoned for a life of pain, abuse and anguish.
Captivity is Slavery
Circusse are being banned with wild animals all across the globe.
What do you call This then??
Greed defeats well-being. What a sad world we live in and it’s devastating thinking of the “life” Morgan has ahead of her.
The Dutch Court did not care for her well-being. They could have made history with a courageous decision to let her go back to her family. They force her to live a life full of pain and suffer.
Devastating news! Science is always ruled out where money is concerned. Morgan now faces an entire life of torment and deprivation so that lavish lifestyles for the owners of Loro Parque can be endured. Where is the justice in this 21st century?!
So sad about this outcome. Can we keep fighting for Morgan?
Dreamed of seeing pictures of Morgan returned to ocean,
I’m disappointed.
No words! Only sadness as greed wins again! I don’t to to have lost faith or have hope in humanity anymore!! #blackfish #emptythetanks
A huge loss for Ocra’s world wide,, Morgan who knows freedom and has commuted no Crimes now has a death sentence in a tiny pool. Tears for Morgan and Prayers for the people who ruled against her for when she dies it was your choice that she died.
Devastated to hear this cowardly ruling on Morgan. We will keep on fighting. EMPTY THE TANKS! Only makes us fight harder x
Sad just doesn’t cut it. Being “devastated” doesn’t cut it. GET PISSED, PEOPLE!
There is NO good reason for an orca to be stuck in a tank “for her own good.” Even a seapen would be an improvement. If the decision were for her own good, requirements would have been included in the decision, and commercial/profit performances would NOT have been allowed. “Due to EU regulations” is also a crock, a cop-out, an excuse.
This should not be over. In fact, if the Japanese can thumb their nose at The Hague’s decision, we can too. Does this court have any teeth? If we REALLY care, we need to be prepared to do more than post on Facebook or bemoan her fate on this site.
Wonderfully Said. We have all gotten lazy in our internet overstuffed armchairs. Time to kick it up a notch for the survival of our Orcas, the survival of our oceans, and our own survival.
Very sad news and so tragic for Morgan 🙁
A black day for Orcas everywhere. A black day for the human race. And a black day for the Netherlands.
Such a sad day for human kindness. So much for facts counting. Morgan has been condemned to a life of slavery because of the sheer misfortune of falling sick in the wild. Holland didnt cope well and if they had she would be wild and free with her family.
Some how I think this fate has been decided to placate seaworld and their friends loro parque. She is bullied, wounded, constantly forced to perform with no peace. Forced to become pregnant too young for a natural pregnancy. People who go to this park are brain dead im sorry to say.
Other whales have been helped and released back to their families to thrive. Thats a fact.
What an appalling decision and a devastating life sentence for Morgan. Now forced to live the rest of her miserable life in a pool, bullied by other orcas and eventually forced to become a breeding machine for the captivity industry. The court has ruled on the side of greed and ignorance and not in the best interest of this orca.
We could STILL protest and petition for Loro Parque to close down!!
As Orcas are endangered, they should ALL be under CITES!!!
This is HORRIBLE news! POOR Morgan!!! People are horrible-this should be considered a criminal act!!
So ok we don’t give up on her do we.This is just nonsense so we fight.How about an Avaaz petition now that we have the science and growing public concern.Also maybe we boycott something.At anyrate lets not accept this as final she needs us to keep trying……failure is not an option.
FREE MORGAN!!!!
Sometimes many battles are fought before the war is won….Morgan we will not give up on freedom, for you, and others like you .
Trish Connors…Founder of Protectors of Dolphins and Whales
This verdict needs to be appealed before Morgan is moved. It is shameful that the court sold Morgan out. It is appalling that money and greed took precedent over the welfare interests of Morgan. We need to keep the fight going.
FREE MORGAN!
This is shameful and criminal !!!
Morgan shall be free – she suffered more than enough in her life – let her go back to the ocean where she belongs !!!!!
How one can do to a whale such a torture. Where from a person takes generally the right to permit to himself a judgment how an animal should be held. A person does not stand about all!!!
God answers prayer. This is what i will do in faith. free Morgan soon Jesus I pray soon for this animal. Thankyou for this.!