Belugas suffering in Sharm el Sheikh - October 2004

Dolphinella in El Hadaba, Sharm el Sheikh is just one of the latest facilities to offer the public the opportunity to swim with dolphins.

The Marine Connection decided to carry out further investigations into this facility when we received reports of two beluga whales being held in a small "holding" pool next to the main area, we were totally unprepared for what was discovered. Investigation showed that the water temperature in the pool was approximately 25 degrees, beluga whales (being marine mammals from polar regions) require water temperature of approx 1-2 degrees, therefore these animals are not only suffering in this heat but their survival is in jeopardy.

The Marine Connection are therefore demanding that these animals are immediately removed from this facility as it very clearly is not in keeping with international laws for housing marine mammals. We also demand that the import permit be questioned as we believe the animals were imported in Egypt from Russia. As Egypt are party to CITES, the law states that import permits will only be granted if the receiving facility/destination can prove they are providing "fit and proper accommodation for the species concerned" which is quite obviously not being adhered to in the case of the water temperature for these beluga whales.

We also have serious concerns with regard to the welfare of the dolphins being used in the swim with dolphins programme, with swimmers entering the water without first being asked to shower and female swimmers have been seen to enter the water and swim with the dolphins wearing full make up and what was described to us as an "overpowering smell of suntan lotion".

The Marine Connection have today written to the relevant authorities asking for the import permit to be revoked and the facility investigated into further.

If you would like to help stop their suffering ...

~ please, please take a moment of your time to write to the authorities and management of this facility voicing your concern for these beluga whales and asking for them to be removed as a matter of urgency and investigation into the conditions under which this facility carries out a "swim with dolphins" programme be carried out before allowing this licence to continue:

In the UK :
His Excellency Gehad Madi
Ambassador
The Egyptian Embassy
26 South Street
London
W1Y 6DD

email
Tel 0870 005 6715
Fax 020 7491 1542 OR 020 7355 3568

Click HERE to read a copy of the Marine Connection letter to the Ambassador

CITES in Egypt:
Prof. Dr Samy El-Fellaly
Head of the Egyptian Management Authority for CITES
Minister's Office
P.O. Box 12619
Dokki
GIZA

email
Tel 00 20 2337 2879
Fax 00 20 2337 6865

Click HERE to read a copy of the Marine Connection letter to Dr Samy El-Fellaly

Manager of Dolphinella, Sharm el Sheikh:
Mr Wagdy Saad
Manager
Dolphinella
El Hadaba
Sharm el Sheikh
Egypt

email
Tel 00 20 69 664 855
Fax 00 20 69 664 844
Mob 00 20 122 144 828

Click HERE to read a copy of the Marine Connection letter to Mr Saad

Please help us save these belugas before it is too late!

Thank you