Vegetarian Star

Kim Basinger, actress, vegetarian and animal rights’ activist, has written a letter to Russia’s president Vladimir Putin, asking him to release whales being held in captivity in the country.

A recent decision by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) ceased the importation of Russian beluga whales to the Georgia Aquarium and its Seaworld Affiliates.

Basinger wants Putin to take what she feels is the next natural step in animal welfare progression and release the whales in his country into the wild.

“I was thrilled to learn that the 18 beluga whales who were slated to be transported from the Utrish Marine Mammal Research Station to a U.S. aquarium will remain in Russia and out of my home state of Georgia,” Basinger wrote. “The whales would have had a bleak life if they had been shipped to Georgia for public display. At least four belugas and two whale sharks have already died at the Georgia Aquarium in recent years. As an ardent supporter of marine life, I commend you for your efforts to preserve this magnificent species. Now that these whales will not be transferred to the U.S., I urge you to take the next step and ensure that they are returned to their rightful ocean home.”

Basinger emphasizes that while whales in their natural habitat live longer, the captivity trade not only creates an unhealthy environment for the animals, it may be contributing to their decline.

Read her entire letter at Look to the Stars.

Photo: Alan Light/Creative Commons

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