Revisiting The Jane Goodall Act

Revisiting The Jane Goodall Act

By Kelly Wallace

The Jane Goodall Act is an ‘animal rights’ bill that came to be in 2020. The bill was named in honor of the renowned anthropologist and primatologist, Jane Goodall for all she has done to educate the world about endangered species and all the good this bill can do.

It was originally Senator Murray Sinclair that first submitted the Jane Goodall Act to the Canadian Senate in November 2020 as Bill S-218. The bill focused on protections for great apes, specific marine mammals and elephants. Bill S-218 did not get the opportunity to be fully realized when tabled in September 2021 due to the elections in Canada. On a positive note ‘timing is everything’ and this turn of events although disappointing at the time thereafter prompted changes to strengthen the Jane Goodall Act and expand on its reach.

After the Honourable Murray Sinclair retired Senator Marty Klyne stepped in to ensure this important animal rights legislature did not fall by the wayside. He ‘reintroduced’ the Jane Goodall Act to the Canadian Senate on March 22, 2202 as Bill S-241. The revised version of the Jane Goodall Act, Bill S-241 seeks to expand legal protection to more than 800 wild animal species. New animals covered by Bill S-241 include upwards of one hundred primate species, lions, tigers, wolves, almost all bear species, hyenas, seals, sea lions, walruses, venomous snakes and other reptile species. To date one year later, Bill S-241 has passed its first reading and is presently in its second reading.

The goals set out in Bill S-241 are wide sweeping and include; (1) protecting the specified wild animals from being used for entertainment purposes in Canada, (2) phasing-out of roadside zoos, (3) providing better protection for wild animals that remain in captivity, (4) protecting the animals from being exploited by the exotic pet trade and (5) addressing the commercial global wildlife trade.

A particularly important part of this bill is that it will be unlawful and a fineable offence to not only to breed wild animals in captivity but import their embryos or any other materials used for breeding. Another promising aspect of the Jane Goodall Act is that it makes note of the fact that the global wildlife trade contributes to biodiversity loss, mass extinction and the risk of zoonotic disease, and would help the government work to tackle wildlife trafficking.

Orca Whale Kiska

The circumstances surrounding Kiska the Orca Whale is a prime example of what Bill S-241 looks to put an end to. Kiska was captured in Iceland in 1979 before being purchased by Marineland. Her five calves died, and she lived alone since 2011. Last year there were reports of multiple whale deaths at Marineland and a broken water system, subject to provincial animal welfare orders. In her concrete tank, Kiska was observed floating motionless or thrashing her head at the poolside, being behavioral changes consistent with stress and an inadequate environment.

On March 10th, 2023 Marineland Canada announced that Kiska died of a bacterial infection. The news was heavily felt through Canada and around the globe and especially the animal organizations that have been working so hard towards the time when Kisha could be relocated to a whale sanctuary in Port Hilford, Nova Scotia looking to welcome their first inhabitants in 2023. The sanctuary had made it publicly known their hope was that Kiska from Marineland would be their first inhabitant.

Dubbed the loneliest whale in the world Kiska’s story equates to a wild animal being inhumanely confined to an environment other then where the animal should naturally inhabit. This is a fate shared by many wild animal species that have been removed from their natural environment for the purposes of entertaining people or that have found their way into the pet trade.

Sadly the Jane Goodall Act if passed will not help Kiska as was hoped but the passing of this bill could help to ensure this doesn’t happen again and the forty belugas and five bottlenose dolphins presently at Marineland are shown the level of concern they deserve.

Wild Animal Welfare

Throughout Canada, thousands upon thousands of wild animals are suffering in cruel entertainment venues and private homes. The Jane Goodall Bill is a big step towards creating a better world for these animals. Many of which were stolen from their natural habitats in the wild, or bred in captivity and forced to perform unnatural acts for spectators or live in unnatural environments as both entertainers and pets.

Fortunately, more and more people are coming to question and debate the keeping of wild animals in roadside zoos, circuses, aquariums, pseudo-sanctuaries, private homes as pets, and being used as entertainment in the movie industry, rodeos, etc. The Jane Goodall Act reflects a shift in public attitudes and values about the keeping and use of wild animals recognizing issues around animal welfare, human health and safety and the environment and conservation.

It is through the dedicated efforts and expertise of animal welfare organizations such as; Animal Justice, Humane Canada, Humane Society International/Canada, Jane Goodall Institute of Canada, World Animal Protection Canada, and Zoocheck Canada that the voiceless have a chance to speak and act through this epic animal protection bill. A nod to Honorable Murray Sinclair for initiating the Jane Goodall Act to begin with.

Passing any bill into law takes time. The passing of Bill S-241, the Jane Goodall Act would solidify Canada’s role as being a leader in protecting wildlife and conserving nature in Canada and have the potential to inspire other countries to follow suit.

Wild animal welfare is an issue that should concern everyone. The Jane Goodall Act is Canada’s chance to lead and make a difference for wild animals that are pivotal to functioning ecosystems and a sustainable future for our generation and generations to come.

Please support efforts to help wild animals in Canada by letting the federal government know you support Bill S-241, the Jane Goodall Act. Support of this kind will help Senator Klyne show his Senate colleagues the depth of public support that exists for the Jane Goodall Act. Thank him for doing this, for the animals, and tell him why his Bill is so important to you. Senator Klyne’s e-mail address is Marty.Klyne@sen.parl.gc.ca.

To contact the author e-mail thinkturtle@yahoo.com or visit the Think Turtle Conservation Initiative website at http://www.thinkturtle.ca

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