Deborah Meaden urges travel chiefs to blacklist dolphin and whale theme parks

Exclusive: ‘Until you take a stand, travel providers will ... profit off animals’ misery,’ investor warns

Parks that keep whales such as white belugas and dolphins cannot cater for their complex needs, the TV star says (AFP via Getty Images)

Dragons’ Den star Deborah Meaden is lobbying travel chiefs to blacklist marine parks that keep dolphins and whales in captivity.

Ms Meaden is urging the travel industry body Abta – formerly the Association of British Travel Agents – to urgently update its animal welfare guidelines and advise members they ought not to sell trips to marine parks.

In a letter, the investor says keeping whales and dolphins in captivity for human entertainment is “abhorrent”.