Animals won't die at Marineland, mayor vows | Hawkes Bay News | Local News in Hawkes Bay

The Napier City Council is committed to making sure animals and birds at Marineland will be relocated, and that none will have to be put down.

Mayor Barbara Arnott says the decision has been made to relocate the animals and birds over the next 12 months to alternative facilities, and funds have already been allocated to house the blue penguins at the council-owned National Aquarium of New Zealand.

She says the council wants to continue to increase awareness of the marine environment and is working with Marineland and the aquarium to ensure education programmes form a key role in the aquarium's future.

Responding to steps being taken by closure opponents, the Friends of Marineland, Mrs Arnott said the decision to close "such a national icon" was not taken lightly.

"Under the Marine Mammals Action Plan 2005-10 the Government has made the phasing out of the keeping of marine mammals in captivity a priority," she says.

"The Department of Conservation has advocated that minimum intervention is the best way to manage marine mammals. Without the support of the department this further restricts the council's ability to continue Marineland as a marine hospital or rehabilitation centre.

"The Government and Department of Conservation policies reflect what most New Zealanders have come to believe, that the environment is important and the animals that live in it deserve respect and the right to live without intervention."