Captivity News

Tom & MIsha head home
(Added: 06 September 2010)
Marine Connection is delighted that a dolphinarium in southwestern Turkey has been closed and the two dolphins which were kept in a pool smaller than a tennis court in horrendous conditions, containing damaging levels of chlorine and harmful bacteria have been rescued.
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Dolphins returned to the ocean
(Added: 18 August 2010)
Two dolphins were returned to the ocean recently after police saved them from being transported to a zoo in Chon Buri, approx 100km east of Bangkok. The animals were caught illegally off Trang's coast and were being transported in a van when discovered. Three men confessed they were hired by the zoo owner to catch the dolphins for display, inquiries are continuing into the involvement of the zoo. The area has about 130 bottlenose, humpback and Irrawaddy dolphins.

Pseudorca jumps from tank during show
(Added: 09 July 2010)
At Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium in southwestern Japan a pseudorca jumped out of its' tank during a performance recently sustaining scratches and bruises to its head and fin.
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Gibraltar turns down dolphinarium proposal
(Added: 28 June 2010)
Marine Connection is pleased to report that the Gibraltar Government have announced they will not allow dolphins captured from the wild to be kept in captivity in their country. Chief Minister, Peter Caruana, made the position clear during a recent Parliamentary session, however the government has also commented that they are not, per se, against the existence of a dolphinarium, subject to a number of animal welfare considerations. Europa Point Marine Village had submitted plans for a dolphinarium in the area of Rosia Bay but the government say they are not currently considering the proposal.

Stranded orca taken to Dutch aquarium
(Added: 28 June 2010)
The Marine Connection has concerns over a young orca found alive recently in the Dutch Wadden Sea and captured by the Harderwijk dolphinarium.
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Seaworld orcas pregnant
(Added: 20 May 2010)
Two killer whales at SeaWorld Orlando are pregnant by Tilikum, the male orca who recently drowned a trainer. If both calves survive, it will bring the number of orcas at the facility to 10 and probably the reason that the company hold on to this particular male as he has sired 13 calves since SeaWorld acquired him in 1992. Tilikum is one of three breeding males in SeaWorld's corporate collection.

Seaworld apply for beluga import
(Added: 13 April 2010)
It has been brought to our attention that Seaworld has applied to the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) in the USA to import a male beluga whale from Vancouver Aquarium to Seaworld, San Antonio, Texas for public display.
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US Congress hearing on captivity
(Added: 13 April 2010)
The charity was delighted to receive news that the US Congressional Committee has scheduled a hearing for April 27 to hear testimony on marine mammals in captivity.
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Legal battle for trainers' family
(Added: 10 March 2010)
SeaWorld Orlando and the family of trainer Dawn Brancheau who was drowned recently by one of the facility’s orcas are preparing for a legal battle to prevent video footage being made available to the public of the animal pulling her into its tank and drowning the trainer in front of park guests.
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Oscar win for 'The Cove'
(Added: 08 March 2010)
Marine Connection are delighted to learn that "The Cove" won the Oscar for best documentary feature at the 82nd Annual Academy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles.
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Trainer killed at Seaworld, Orlando
(Added: 24 February 2010)
On 24 February a long-term trainer was killed by one of the orcas at Seaworld, Orlando.
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Mystic Aquarium beluga death
(Added: 21 February 2010)
Inuk, the 28 year old male beluga which was held at Mystic Aquarium has died.
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The Cove may soon show in Japan
(Added: 18 February 2010)
Tokyo-based Medallion Media which acquired the rights to screen "The Cove" documentary in Japan and is in talks with cinemas to bring the film to Japanese audiences as soon as possible.
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Dolphin gives birth while peforming
(Added: 29 January 2010)
A 17-year-old dolphin named Hindri gave birth to her first calf while performing at the Suoi Tien Tourist Area in Ho Chi Minh City on January 23. The photo on the attached link shows the tail of a baby dolphin coming out of its 17-year-old mother Hindri in an aquarium at Suoi Tien on January 23.
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Trainer injured at Sea World, Gold Coast
(Added: 08 January 2010)
The Marine Connection has received reports that a trainer has been injured at Australia's Sea World on the Gold Coast, the facility which now holds Cliffy the dolphin.
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