Phoenix Suns: Stop Sponsoring Dolphin Abuse!
- by: Julie S.
- recipient: Robert Sarver, Owner of the Phoenix Suns; Adam Silver, Commissioner of the NBA
The Phoenix Suns are sponsoring a contest to win tickets to a game and a half-time locker room tour - along with a swim-with-the-dolphins experience at Dolphinaris Arizona. The team's website features a demeaning video in which dolphins are forced to perform circus tricks for a man dressed as a gorilla as well as "give kisses." The video presents the dolphins - as well as sexualized women interacting with them - as objects for our entertainment. Outrageously, former NBA star Steven Hunter claims that these interactions "support ocean conservation efforts."
Dolphinaris Arizona has been widely criticized and has prompted numerous protests - for excellent reasons. Arizona has an extreme climate ranging from 115 degree heat to below freezing temperatures. Without adequate protection, dolphins become severely burned in shallow pools. Dust storms are common, as are fungal pathogens in the soil. Because of dolphins' unique physiology, they are particularly vulnerable to respiratory infections, including pneumonia, in this environment.
It has become obvious to millions of people around the world that dolphins should not be held in captivity for human entertainment regardless of the venue. Dolphins are highly intelligent, sentient beings who travel hundreds of miles hunting and playing in the ocean. Dolphins have deep, long-lasting relationships with one another, show compassion and self-awareness, and even use language. There is an overwhelming amount of evidence that these animals suffer immensely and die prematurely in captivity.
Please sign this petition demanding that the Phoenix Suns stop associating with the abusive captive dolphin industry. This petition urges the team to change the prize given to the winner of this contest and refuse any future engagement with Dolphinaris. If the Phoenix Suns truly want to encourage conservation efforts, we recommend providing a trip to the nearby Grand Canyon as a prize. Sports fans, especially children, look to professional athletes as role models - and sadly the members of this team are endorsing cruelty toward innocent, magnificent animals who need and deserve to be free.
Dear Mr. Sarver and Mr. Silver,
We are disappointed and outraged that the Phoenix Suns are sponsoring a contest to win a swim with the dolphins experience at Dolphinaris Arizona.
We feel that the video featured on the team’s website, in which dolphins are forced to perform circus tricks for a man dressed as a gorilla as well as “give kisses,” is demeaning. This video presents dolphins, as well as the sexualized women interacting with them, as objects for our entertainment.
Furthermore, former NBA star Steven Hunter’s statement that Dolphinaris “supports ocean conservation efforts” is absolutely untrue.
Dolphinaris Arizona has been widely criticized and has prompted numerous protests – for excellent reasons. Arizona has an extreme climate ranging from 115 degree heat to below freezing temperatures. Without adequate protection, dolphins become severely burned in shallow pools. Dust storms are common, as are fungal pathogens in the soil. Because of dolphins’ unique physiology, they are particularly vulnerable to respiratory infections, including pneumonia, in this environment.
It has become obvious to millions of people around the world that dolphins should not be held in captivity for human entertainment regardless of the venue. Dolphins are highly intelligent, sentient beings who travel hundreds of miles hunting and playing in the ocean. Dolphins have deep, long-lasting relationships with one another, show compassion and self-awareness, and even use language. There is an overwhelming amount of evidence that these animals suffer immensely and die prematurely in captivity.
Sports fans, especially children, look to professional athletes as role models – and sadly the members of the Phoenix Suns are endorsing cruelty toward innocent, magnificent animals who need and deserve to be free.
We demand that the Phoenix Suns stop associating with the abusive captive dolphin industry. We urge the team to change the prize given to the winner of this contest and refuse any future engagement with Dolphinaris. If the Phoenix Suns truly want to encourage conservation efforts, we recommend providing a trip to the nearby Grand Canyon as a prize.
Thank you for your consideration.
[Your comments]
Sincerely,
[Your name]
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