23 November 2011 / by Radmila Gurkova

Dutch judge rejects pleas for killer whale freedom

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEkIvVNm1hI&feature=grec_index

A Dutch judge has ruled that a rescued killer whale can be sent to a Canary Islands amusement park, despite pleas to release the animal into the wild.
The case of Morgan the orca sharply divided opinion in the Netherlands. The orca was rescued by a dolphinarium in Harderwijk after being found exhausted and starving in shallow waters in the Waddenzee in June 2010.



Conservationists are devastated by Monday's ruling, fearing the move to the Canaries will kill Morgan. The judge in Amsterdam decided however that the orca would have no reasonable chance of survival in the wild. The plan is to transfer Morgan within days to Loro Parque on Tenerife, where she will join five other orcas in a big tank, on show to the public. Ahead of the judge's ruling the campaign website of the Free Morgan Foundation had been getting more than 50,000 hits a day.

Tough decision
Niels van Elk, a vet who has been working at the dolphinarium for 13 years, thinks Morgan will be better off in captivity than in the wild.
"The theme park is the best option for her because that is where she can live in a group and that is the best we can offer her," he says.
"We as humans should not pretend that we can replace the challenges and the satisfaction that a group of killer whales can give. It is an artificial environment, it's a different life but it's a good life all the same."

11

July 2013
Why do we like this structure activity for kids?
by Radmila Gurkova
Structure: Identifying objects of the immediate surroundings: The use of 'There is / are' in affirmative, interrogative and negative forms. Level: Beginner Author: Inge Tuijnman ...

04

July 2013
Why do we like this topic activity about independence?
by Radmila Gurkova
Topic: Independence Objective: For students to discuss the pros and cons of Catalan independence using the basis of the opinions of foreigners. Level: Upper Intermediate - Advanced Author: Hugo Deslandes ...

30

June 2013
Why do we like this structure activity about inversion?
by Radmila Gurkova
Structure: Expressing emphasis using Inversion: Inverted conditional sentences without "if": (Sentences beginning 'Were...', 'Should...', 'Had...'). Level: Upper Intermediate - Advanced Author: Daniel Hermosilla ...

30

June 2013
Every soldier carries a marshal's baton in his pack
by Radmila Gurkova
Dear trainee, You are about to start your TEFL course and join a great profession where people hungry for knowledge meet to learn from each other. You ...

28

June 2013
Women more cautious on social media
by Radmila Gurkova
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hFimIczB0s A new report on the Internet and how we use it says that more of us are using social media than ever. The report showed huge differences between how men and women use social media and how we manage our privacy. Women are ...

23

April 2013
There are many different teaching methodologies when it comes to language learning, which one is the best for you?
by Radmila Gurkova
...

20

March 2013
What's up with WhatsApp?!
by Radmila Gurkova
THE EFFECT OF WHATSAPP ON RELATIONSHIPS WhatsApp is an instant messaging application that is changing the world of social relations. And it's free! "It's great technology; it facilitates interaction and the exchange of information in real time," said Enrique Garcia Huete, a...

20

March 2013
GRAFFITI: Art or Anti-Social Behaviour?
by Radmila Gurkova
BARCELONA SHOPKEEPERS FINED Barcelona shopkeepers who legally commissioned graffiti artists to paint their shopfront SHUTTERS are FACING fines of up to 600€ by city authorities intent on CRACKING DOWN on anti-social behaviour. "The law regards graffiti as something that SOILS the public space, de...

21

February 2013
Iberia on Strike
by Radmila Gurkova
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btgkjSl0IGk An Iberia worker is arrested by Spanish ...

21

February 2013
Dreamliner Stopped Worldwide
by Radmila Gurkova
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NLSSTfHrhY Boeing's state-of-the-art Dreamliner passenger jet has been grounded in Japan, India, Chile and the USA amid safety concerns. The airliner has been hit with a spate of technical malfunctions in the past month. The technical malfunctions range from cracked windshi...