Urge one of the world’s largest cruise lines to boycott cruel turtle tourist venue

Sea turtles at Cayman Turtle Centre tourist attraction, formerly named Cayman Turtle Farm, are kept in small, shallow, and overcrowded tanks. They’re used to entertain tourists, then sold to local restaurants to be eaten.

The conditions they’re subjected to in the name of entertainment cause considerable suffering, as detailed in our report, Cayman Turtle Farm: A continued case for support.

Cayman Turtle Centre heavily relies on cruise ships. More than 200,000 people visit the attraction each year, and around three quarters are cruise passengers.

That’s why we’re targeting Carnival Cruise Line, to reduce visitors to the attraction.

A Carnival Cruise Line ship sits off the coast off the Cayman Islands

Sign our petition, and join us in urging this influential, global company to lead by example and take responsibility for sea turtle welfare.

Severe animal welfare issues

Concerns have been raised about the centre as far back as 2012.

Our investigations revealed more than 8,000 turtles held in cruel captivity at the venue. Reports found also found shocking evidence of genetic defects, disease, stress, unnatural diet, birth defects, and even cases of cannibalism among the turtles.

Neil D’Cruze, our senior wildlife advisor, said: “This major cruise company is currently turning a blind eye to animal suffering on an alarming scale.”

In their natural ocean habitats, green sea turtles can dive to depths of up to 140 metres, and can travel up to 5,000 kilometres in a year.

Stuck in shallow, crowded tanks, sea turtles farmed at Cayman Turtle Centre cannot enjoy the freedom they would in the ocean.

Sea turtles in an enclosure at Cayman Turtle Centre

Risks to visitors’ health

In as recently as 2014, 1,268 turtles died due to an outbreak of Clostridium, a bacterium responsible for botulism. Information uncovered by a Freedom of Information request highlighted that this disease posed a risk not only to turtles, but to tourists too.

Carnival Cruise Line must help prevent animal cruelty

We’ve been working to end cruelty to turtles at Cayman Turtle Centre for a few years. However, the company has failed to take our cruelty concerns seriously, which is why we’re now campaigning to reduce the amount of visitors to the attraction. 

Tourists are becoming more and more aware of the cruelty involved at tourist attractions. Cayman Turtle Centre must make turtle welfare a priority to ensure tourists keep visiting.

We ultimately want the attraction to turn into a rehabilitation and rescue centre for turtles.

We’ve repeatedly contacted Carnival Cruise Line since January. But despite making our welfare concerns clear, the company won’t agree to stop taking boatloads of tourists to this cruel attraction.

Please sign our petition now, and urge Carnival Cruise Line to do the right thing for turtles.

This major cruise company is currently turning a blind eye to animal suffering on an alarming scale - Neil D’Cruze, our senior wildlife advisor