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"

Spain is the largest prison for dolphins in Europe and the sixth in the world

, only behind countries like China or Russia. A shame!"

From an American father, hence her golden hair, those intense blue eyes and her last name, the Catalan

Olivia Mandle

expresses herself colloquially, like any other 15-year-old girl, but her words reveal a maturity and forcefulness that are not so typical of a 3rd year ESO student.

"Our country wants to be a leader in terms of ecological transition, but it will not be if it continues to allow the captivity of these animals."

Many

already compare her with the young

Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, since her concerns about animals and nature arose when she was just a girl.

Not surprisingly, she has been collecting signatures on the Change.org platform for two years to ask the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, for a law that closes the dolphinariums.

The petition has now run into the

speaker of

the Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute (

BDRI) and committed firms

such as the British Lush, of fresh handmade cosmetics and with the firm idea of ​​staying free of animal cruelty, which has joined its

#noespaísparadelfines

campaign

.

He has even created a soap to support this strong defense against captivity.

All profits from its sales will go to

BDRI,

a marine research center dedicated to the study and conservation of free-ranging dolphins, whales and porpoises.

"We met Olivia at the SBMadrid sustainability event, where she was a speaker, and her story was inspiring. We were very impressed by her passion, her age, and

we saw her as an example to follow

," says Gloria Pavía, Director of Communication at Lush.

THIS IS THE YOUNG ACTIVIST

Olivia Mandle, the 15-year-old activist who advocates for the end of dolphinariums in Spain.Sofía Moro

Olivia has been practicing ballet since she was three years old, discipline from which she learned to be responsible,

to concentrate and to make an effort to the fullest

, she slides.

"I fight a lot to carry out my studies, which increasingly require more of me, and at the same time not to let my guard down and continue with all the inner peace that I have."

In addition to banning dolphinariums, it is committed to raising awareness about climate change, especially regarding microplastics in the sea.

"In 2019 I created a homemade tool with recycled material to clean the surface of beaches, rivers or lakes. Anyone can do it at home.

Everyone, if we want, can make a difference by putting our little grain of sand

, "he adds.

Her parents, whose slides are very consistent with her life, were the ones who planted environmentalism in her.

"The environment and the state of our planet have always brought conversations to our table.

I have grown up surrounded by books and documentaries by great people like David Attenborough, Jane Goodall or Sylvia Earle

, people who were already doing a lot for and for the planet", describes the young

As she played with her Lego pieces to save the forest from fires, she herself realized that this sensitivity did not light the fuse in her friends.

"Even so, I decided as a child that I wanted to be one of those people who were already fighting for us all to have healthy ecosystems."

Her dream is SUA (

Save Us All

),

a marine sanctuary on the Costa Brava.

"If I'm honest, I wish it was never necessary, or simply to help the cetaceans and animals in the area that have problems or illnesses."

WHY DOLPHINS?

Spain concentrates 11 of the 30 dolphinariums in Europe, with more than 55% of all captive dolphins.

The

Spanish Greta Thunberg

thinks that the human being is not only destructive, but self-destructive.

"It's clear, seeing how we left everything."

Therefore, she feels that this campaign is her life mission.

The dolphin, in fact, is her favorite animal.

"I don't know if I will succeed, but a progressive banning law for dolphinariums is something that many countries, not to mention France, have already carried out," she adds.

"Everything behind this is pure business," he says.

He was born in the Mediterranean - "it's in my blood, I respect and adore him" - which is why he has spent so much time at sea.

"I haven't seen as many dolphins or cetaceans in the wild as I would have liked, but I am passionate about their intelligence. And animals in general, how they protect each other and their magical balance. I spend hours watching BBC's Planeta Azul."

The Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute (BDRI) is a marine environment research center dedicated to the study and conservation of marine biodiversity.

She is determined that going to see a dolphin go through a hoop or throw a ball is known from childhood to be rude.

With more than 55% of all captive dolphins,

Spain concentrates 11 of the 30 dolphinariums on the continent

.

"Currently, there is a

terrifying triangle

effect operating under excuses such as education or science. But

if there are no shows, there is no capture (almost always illegal) and no trade, so it is not so difficult

. "

These animals should be studied in freedom, as many foundations already do, he explains.

“I always repeat that Jacques Cousteau said that

studying animals in captivity

is like studying humans, but only those in prison.

IN SEARCH OF A FAIRER WORLD

The 'weapons' of the Spanish Greta Thunberg campaign, which has the support of BDRI and Lush.

Since he presented the initiative, Mandle has worked hard so that the world stops turning its face to what is happening.

"It is clear that

politicians are not as interested in climate change

as scientists are. It is a pity that they do not make real decisions."

She fears that she will not be taken seriously because she is young.

"No one stops for five minutes to reflect on how their lives are going to change in the not-so-distant future."

Regarding the comparisons with Greta Thunberg, Olivia expresses that her role is admirable, although her cause is much less than that of this famous Swedish woman:

"She has put climate change on everyone's lips

, although since Covid her speaker has been silenced, to me continues to be an example of struggle and coherence".

He is not afraid to put himself in the media spotlight.

"Any criticism she may receive is worth it. If it is constructive, I will learn. If it is frivolous, I will not pay the slightest attention to her. My struggle is very different from hers, but

if someone compares me, I will only say thank you

, because it is a pride The more people we are, the better for the present and future of all living beings, including humans."

He believes that the role of young people is key.

"If we don't change ourselves, who will? If we expect a huge change in society, it will never come, because it occurs little by little, educating from school, acting from the private sector and from the individual, the citizen. Even with each act of purchase or consumption we have power of influence.

We can change things, but it is not the most comfortable thing

".

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