Canarian Educators Raise Concerns Over Loro Parque’s Influence Amid Animal Rights Advocacy

In a recent development, educators in the Canary Islands have voiced their concerns regarding the influence of Loro Parque, a controversial zoo, on schoolchildren. This situation has sparked a broader conversation about the ethical implications of educational partnerships with institutions that have faced criticism for their treatment of animals.

Teachers Speak Out Against Zoo Practices

Fernando Martín, the PACMA island coordinator in La Palma, has publicly backed primary and secondary school teachers who have raised alarms about the pressures they face to promote Loro Parque among their students. This support was highlighted during an annual campaign, which included a video released by the Tenerife Association of Friends of Nature (ATAN). In this video, educators voiced their concerns about the ethical implications of promoting a facility that has been criticized for its treatment of animals.

Teachers have reported feeling compelled to encourage student visits to Loro Parque, often due to the incentives provided by the zoo. They revealed that Loro Parque is providing teachers with unlimited access cards, known as the Animal Embassy Card, valid for an entire academic year. This initiative is intended to encourage teachers to bring their students to the park, raising questions about the appropriateness of such practices in educational settings.

Controversy Surrounding Animal Welfare

Since its inception in 1972, Loro Parque has evolved from a modest facility showcasing parrots and macaws to a well-known zoo that attracts thousands of visitors each year. However, its operations have come under scrutiny as society becomes increasingly aware of issues related to animal welfare and the ethics of keeping animals in captivity for entertainment. The zoo’s practices have sparked significant debate among animal rights advocates and educators alike.

PACMA Canarias has been particularly vocal in its opposition to Loro Parque, which is owned by German businessman Wolfgang Kiessling. The organization has consistently criticized the zoo’s practices through various media, including articles and protests. According to Martín, the zoo’s ongoing shows featuring orcas and other species contribute to significant suffering for these animals, leading to emotional distress and aggression, as noted by the late trainer Alexis Martínez. This perspective has resonated with many educators who are increasingly questioning the morality of promoting such institutions.

Calls for Change in Educational Collaborations

Despite growing concerns, public institutions in the Canary Islands continue to support Loro Parque, contrasting with trends in other European countries where stricter animal welfare laws have led to the closure of similar facilities. Teachers opposing the notion that animals thrive in captivity have brought attention to this disparity, highlighting the need for a reevaluation of educational partnerships with organizations that may not align with contemporary ethical standards.

PACMA has raised legal concerns regarding the acceptance of gifts from private entities, which they argue violates the Public Employee Basic Statute. They also criticize the misrepresentation of what constitutes a “complementary activity” as defined in the ORDER of January 15, 2001. These legal arguments underscore the complexities surrounding the relationship between educational institutions and private organizations like Loro Parque.

The organization has long urged the Government of the Canary Islands to discontinue educational partnerships with Loro Parque and to establish monitoring plans for such facilities. Their goal is to gradually reduce the presence of orcas and other marine mammals in captivity, advocating for a shift towards centers dedicated to the protection of native wildlife. This call for change reflects a growing awareness of the ethical implications of animal captivity and the responsibility of educators to promote humane values.

Key points

• Educators in the Canary Islands are raising concerns about Loro Parque’s influence on schoolchildren.
• PACMA supports teachers who have denounced pressures to promote the zoo.
• Loro Parque provides teachers with unlimited access cards to encourage student attendance.
• The zoo has faced criticism for its treatment of animals, particularly orcas.
• Legal concerns have been raised regarding the acceptance of gifts from private entities by public employees.
• PACMA calls for an end to educational collaborations with Loro Parque.
• There is a push for monitoring plans to protect native wildlife in the Canary Islands.