Deadly inferno at Bahrain Dolphin Park

In recent months, the Marine Connection, and other marine mammal welfare organisations worldwide, have become very concerned over reports of poor conditions with regards to the animals being held at the Bahrain Dolphin Park.   The charity heard that on 4 August 2006, fire broke out within the facility engulfing the two-storey building, killing one of the marine mammals and seriously endangering the only beluga whale which has now been moved to a "private pool".

The other animals which were held at the facility, two dolphins and a sea lion, are regularly transferred between the Bahrain Dolphin Park and their sister parks in Saudi Arabia and previously to the fire on Friday night had been moved to Saudi Arabia. 

Andrina Murrell comments "It is a tragedy that one animal has died and a beluga whale has been subjected to the trauma of this fire as well as the stressful relocation to a private pool which is not tailored for this animal's complex requirements."

"The Marine Connection is keen to find out exactly where this pool is and how the multifaceted conditions a beluga whale demands are being met; simply to move the beluga whale to another pool and add salt, even with air conditioning, is totally unacceptable and needs to be addressed immediately. Beluga whales are extremely sensitive to their surroundings as they have adapted over millions of years to the expanse of the freezing Arctic environment. To be placed in artificial and inadequate conditions will be seriously detrimental to this whale's health - physically and psychologically.  The Marine Connection is very concerned over the current and future welfare of this animal." 

"In addition, to learn that two dolphins and a sea lion are regularly transferred between parks in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain is also concerning.  The transportation of these animals between countries creates a very stressful experience for these mammals and Marine Connection has serious doubts about this practice and its welfare and legal implications."

In view of this fire and the previous reports on poor conditions at Bahrain Dolphin Park, the Marine Connection is now urging the Bahrain government to consider the closure of this Park and ultimately ban the keeping of dolphins and whales in captivity.

Read more about the Marine Connection concerns about Bahrain Dolphin Park

Take Action!

Please write a polite letter to the Bahrain government stating your opposition to the re-opening of this marine mammal park in view of poor conditions reported previously and the recent fire which killed one marine mammal and put another in severe danger.

Prof. Ismail M. Al Madani
Vice President & Director General
Environment & Wildlife Affairs
Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain
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