On Monday, January 14, the Animal Welfare Board of India issued a directive to state governments and fish and game officials ordering them to refuse permission to any person or group, “that proposes to import or capture any cetacean [whale or dolphin] species for training, to use as a performing animal for commercial entertainment, private or public exhibition, private or human interaction, educational or research purposes.”

Very importantly the report continues by saying :

“The board, part of the Indian government’s Ministry of Environment and Forests, ruled that the capture, transport or display of cetaceans was a violation of the 1960 Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act”

All animal advocates will applaud India for saying this. If they can see it, why can’t everyone else? Money and business deals and economic alliances of course. People who are against animal captivity are forming alliances too so watch this enclosed space. “Operation Caps Lock Off” has truly begun..

To read the whole of David Kirby’s feature visit http://www.takepart.com/article/2013/01/16/india-moves-ban-captive-dolphin-shows