Background

In November 2006, Merlin Entertainments, operators of Sea Life Centres in the UK (including London Aquarium & Chessington Zoo), announced their acquisition of Italian theme park Gardaland, which runs one of Europes largest captive dolphin shows. The Marine Connection immediately raised our concerns with Merlin who previously had adopted a strict policy that no captive cetaceans were to be held at any of their premises.

Merlin Entertainments are just one of several companies who hold interests in facilities within the UK, whilst cointinuing to profit from captive cetaceans via their ownership of other facilities in Europe that house these animals.

Read Merlin Entertainments statement

Following their acquisiton of Gardaland, in 2007 Merlin Entertainments also acquired the Tussauds Group whose facilities include Heidepark Soltau in Germany which also housed a dolphin pool. Currently we are awaiting confirmation from Merlin who have advised us that the dolphins from Heidepark have been removed to a holding facility pending a definite decision being made regarding their future.

In their statement, released in April 2008, Merlin proclaim that; “The company has very clear policies relating to which species we believe can prosper in captivity, and the overall care of the creatures in all the aquariums. We fundamentally oppose the keeping of dolphins in captivity.”

The Marine Connection feel that Merlin Entertainments now have two options; either find an alternative to keeping the dolphins at their facilities or changing their company policy, as to retain these dolphins in a captive enviroment is quite clearly in direct conflict with their claimed company policy.