Activists Want Ocean Park To Retire All Animals

Animals rights groups have called on embattled Ocean Park to come up with a "comprehensive retirement plan" for its animals, saying the park should no longer breed or bring in more animals even if it is given a financial lifeline.

Ocean Park has said that if it doesn't get HK$5.4 billion in emergency funding, it may close down as early as next month, with the fate of its 7,500 animals up in the air.

Activists and lawmakers say the animal-loving public of Hong Kong are being blackmailed into supporting the emergency funding as the park has no plans for the creatures if it is shut down.

They want the park to come up with a "comprehensive retirement plan" for the animals as soon as possible, saying it has the responsibility of making sure they remain in good hands – with or without the additional government funding.

Ocean Park must gradually phase out its animal exhibit programme, they said, while exploring other options like moving the animals to wildlife sanctuaries.

“We hope that they will firstly stop the animal import, breeding and performance. So that they can make sure this batch of dolphins or animals would be the last ones in the park,” said Viena Mak, a member of the Hong Kong Dolphin Conservation Society.

The activists also called on Ocean Park not to sell off the animals to other aquariums or zoos, saying that would be "extremely tragic" for the creatures.

Hong Kong First lawmaker Claudia Mo, meanwhile, said she's only willing to approve a certain amount of funding for the iconic park to take care of the animals.

Hong Kong people should not be penalised for the "less-than-desirable management" of the park, she said.

Earlier pro-establishment lawmaker Michael Tien said he also opposed the HK$5.4 billion emergency funding request.

Speaking on the eve of an expected debate and vote at Legco's Finance Committee, Tien said HK$3 billion of the emergency fund is earmarked just for repaying commercial loans.

He said even if this money is approved now, he expects the theme park will still need another big cash injection after one year – possibly over HK$10 billion.

The Roundtable lawmaker said he would only support giving HK$1 billion, to keep Ocean Park afloat for six months.

Asked if the government could put pressure on him to back the funding request, Tien retorted: “Over my dead body.”