Calls made to shut down Bournemouth Oceanarium aquarium

An FOI to BCP Council done by the campaigners reveals that 3,506 animals have died at the aquarium on the seafront between 2018 and 2023. 

The group of 12 people, from Dorset Animal Action, held an eight-hour protest outside the Oceanarium to collect signatures for their petition. 

• Should the Oceanarium be closed down? Send us your letters for publication to letters@bournemouthecho.co.uk

Dorset Animal Action claims that many of the deaths were “avoidable” and that an “average of 26 per cent of the animals die in their care each year”. 

Activists outside the Oceanarium (Image: PR)

But the Oceanarium has said the care for its animals is the team’s “upmost priority”. 

During the protest, the group said they collected 600 signatures to go along with their online petition to achieve more than 800. 

Their goal is to collect 2,000 signatures to put before BCP Council, who will then have to discuss it at a full council meeting. 

Protester Hannah Ford, a graduate in veterinary medicine and science, said she was “shocked” to read the number of deaths at Oceanarium, accusing it of “failing”. 

She added: “With persistent failures highlighted across several inspection reports, I don't know how they're still operating. 

“The reptile enclosures have been deemed as inadequate for three years. As non-native species, inappropriate environments can lead to extreme levels of suffering and death, which is basic knowledge for anyone with an understanding of reptile care.  

“The failure to complete veterinary records and properly label drugs, both legal requirements, highlights a disregard for basic management standards. We cannot keep this running any longer, for the animals.” 

(Image: PR)

Bournemouth resident Jacob Baker said the protest was “incredibly powerful and educational”.

He added: “Soon we will achieve our goal of 2,000 petition signatures, so that we can finally hold them to account and ensure that this cycle of animal abuse ends.” 

Amber Lofthouse, from Moordown, said: “Many tourists we spoke to complained about the tiny tanks and had many ideas about what they’d like to see instead, such as a dinosaur museum, play activities for children, a music venue and an even an ice rink.” 

Documents from BCP Council's licensing team from 2021 and seen by the Echo show six failings by the Oceanarium.

One instance include the green iguana's enclosure was a "very restricted environment for a large arboreal species".

Oceanarium (Image: Daily Echo)

Oceanarium’s spokeswoman said the health and wellbeing of the animals is “our upmost priority” and its “dedicated” team of keepers “work hard each day to ensure the animals here thrive”. 

She added: “We recently passed our zoo license inspection, and as a member of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) we adhere to the highest standard of animal care.  

“Several animals that reside at the Oceanarium were rescued either as unwanted pets or for being illegally imported.  

“We are proud to play our role in creating a better planet for wildlife through our conservation and education programmes. 

“Any issues that are brought up during the zoo licence process we act on immediately and are committed to continually improving the care we give.”