Morgan is a young female orca who was rescued from the Wadden Sea in 2010 and has since been rehabilitated, and currently held, by the Harderwijk Dolphinarium. Many, including WDCS, now believe it is time to look towards returning Morgan to the wild.
During todays court hearing, it became clear that the Dutch Ministry responsible for Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation was not aware of all documentation available to the court, including a detailed report on Morgan’s chances of rehabilitation by orca expert Dr. Ingrid Visser. As a result, the judge ruled for Morgan to remain at Harderwijk while further research is conducted. WDCS hopes this includes the detailed multi-stage release plan put together by the Free Morgan Group, of which WDCS is a member.
The judge has now heard scientific evidence from some of the worlds leading orca experts and public opposition to Morgans transfer to another captive facility is growing. WDCS awaits the full details of the decision, hopefully including a time frame for Morgan to transition to a more natural environment in the hope she can one day return to the wild. WDCS hopes the outcome of todays hearing will result in a positive future for Morgan.
Reports suggest that for the time being Morgan will be moved from her tank at the Harderwijk Dolphinarium into another larger tank holding bottlenose dolphins. While this situation remains far from ideal, it will provide her with temporary reprieve from her current isolation in a small tank.
As a member of the Free Morgan Group, WDCS will continue calling on the authorities in the Netherlands to give Morgan a chance for a better life and transition her from a permanent life in captivity. In captivity, orcas suffer significantly reduced longevity, low breeding success and stress, which can lead to aggression between themselves and towards trainers, illness and even death.
To find out more and donate to the project to help Morgan, please visit: http://www.freemorgan.nl/