Cousteau sent a letter to Tokayev, supporting Kazakhstan's intention to ban dolphinariums

We have read with interest the reports in the media that Kazakhstan Government is considering implementing a ban on captivity of dolphins. We commend you on this initiative, and fully support its intention," said Cousteau in a video posted on the YouTube channel of the Ocean Futures Society.

Other countries around the world are taking steps to respond to public demands to end keeping whales and dolphins in concrete tanks and performing for public entertainment. Scientific studies confirm that dolphins and whales suffer from increased stress in captivity, their lifespans are shorter than the lives of their wild counterparts, and the behaviors that the public observes in such facilities is not the normal behaviors of these magnificent animals in the wild," said Cousteau.

Last year we had the privilege of working with the Russian government on their decision and plan to release 87 beluga whales and 10 orca that had been captured in 2018 in what Russian courts determined to have been an illegal capture. With our international team, we developed plans and protocols for the rehabilitation of these cetaceans. We would similarly be honored to work with your marine mammal experts on any rehabilitation of these dolphins if it can be helpful," the letter says.