Letter of concern - Bahrain Dolphin Park
The Marine Connection is calling on the government of the Kingdom of Bahrain to implement the permanent closure of Bahrain Dolphin Park, and to ban the capture, import and display of dolphins and whales.
The charity is writing on behalf of the undersigned marine mammal welfare organisations worldwide which have in recent months become very concerned over reports of poor conditions with regards to the animals being held at the Bahrain Dolphin Park, Manama. In addition, the fire which broke out within the facility on August 4th 2006 engulfing the two-storey building, killing one of the marine mammals and seriously endangering a beluga whale brings into further question the safety and welfare measures which were in place at the Park.
Concerns were initially raised following reports that two dolphins, a solitary beluga whale and a sea lion were being kept in unacceptably small indoor pools which is extremely detrimental for the health of these animals adapted to travelling many miles and diving to great depths in the ocean on a daily basis. Small pens and poor conditions often lead these ordinarily sociable animals to become psychologically scarred and potentially aggressive. In fact, it was reported that people in the park were no longer allowed to swim with the dolphins because of this very reason.
As an animal which is adapted to thrive in freezing Arctic temperatures, it is particularly inappropriate to hold belugas in a facility located in an exceptionally hot environment such as the one in Bahrain. Therefore, the signatories would like to express serious concern over the current situation of the beluga whale which was reportedly transferred to a "private" pool with added salt and air conditioning. This is absolutely inadequate for the animal's welfare and must be rectified.
It was reported earlier in 2006 that the sea lion, which died in the fire, appeared malnourished and poorly treated. It has now become apparent that a significant reason for the death of the sea lion in the fire at Bahrain Dolphin Park is that the animal was locked in a cage without any access to water. Without this access the sea lion had little chance of escaping the fire and smoke inhalation and also brings into grave doubt the quality of the care and protection all the animals of Bahrain Dolphin Park received.
It transpires that the other animals which were held at the facility are regularly transferred between the Bahrain Dolphin Park and their sister parks in Saudi Arabia and prior to the fire on Friday night had been moved to Saudi Arabia. This practice can cause severe stress for the animals involved and is of particular concern to the signatories due to the welfare and legal implications of moving these animals, of which one may be a rare Sousa dolphin, between countries.
The recent reports are not the first negative reports which have been received regarding the Bahrain Dolphin Park. Three dolphins were imported from Russia in 1998 to the Bahrain Dolphin Park. However, within weeks of their arrival two of the dolphins died. The remaining dolphin was then joined in 1999 by two further dolphins from Russia. Considering there are now only two dolphins at the park, this raises the question of the whereabouts of at least two other dolphins held at the park since 1999. This Park has a very questionable record of animal welfare and recent events only raise further concerns relating to animal mortalities within the facility.
In view of the deficient conditions reported before the fire at Bahrain Dolphin Park as well as the welfare implications highlighted by the death of the sea lion and inadequate evacuation plans in event of a fire, we, the undersigned, urge the Bahrain government to seriously consider the permanent closure of this Park and to implement a ban on the capture, import and display of dolphins and whales within the country in the future.
Yours sincerely,
Andrina Murrell
Marine Connection
Signatories
Advocates for Animals (UK)
Animal Welfare Institute (USA)
Bahrain Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BSPCA) (BAHRAIN)
BlueVoice.org (USA)
British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) (UK)
Captive Animals' Protection Society (CAPS) (UK)
Captive Dolphin Awareness Foundation (USA)
Cetacea Defence (UK)
Cetacean Society International (USA)
Dolphin Care (UK)
Dolphin Project (INTERNATIONAL)
Humane Society International (USA)
In Defense of Animals (IDA) (USA)
International Animal Rescue (UK)
Nature Trust Malta (MALTA)
New York Whale and Dolphin Action League (USA)
One Voice (FRANCE)
Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (UK)
Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (INTERNATIONAL)
Zoocheck (CANADA)
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