Marine Connection letter to CITES authority in Egypt

4 October 2004

Urgent by Fax & Email (Fax: 00 202 337 6865)

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

Dear Dr Samy El-Fellaly

Dolphinella, El Hadaba, Sharm el Sheikh

As director of a UK based dolphin and whale conservation charity, I am writing with regard to the above facility, following many calls of concern from visitors to Sharm el Sheikh. This facility is holding 3 dolphins and 2 beluga whales which have been imported, I believe, from Russia. I would appreciate if you could give me a copy of the relevant import papers for these animals giving details of the point of origin/export.

Our concern is for the welfare of the animals housed in this facility, as we believe the conditions do not meet with international laws for housing these marine mammals. The beluga whales are being held in a small holding pool, separate from the main pool. We have been informed this is because the dolphins in the main pool are territorial and also because the belugas are being trained to interact with swimmers. The main concern is that the beluga whales are being held in this pool and the water temperature is around 25 degrees.

You will be aware that international laws state that marine mammals can only be imported into a country when the destined facility can prove they have provided "fit and proper accommodation" for the species. This is not the case for these whales, which originate from Arctic waters and should be held in a pool whose temperature is no more than 1-2 degrees. The fact that these animals are being held in warm water is detrimental to their survival and welfare, and for this reason we feel that CITES law has not been upheld and these animals should be confiscated otherwise they will die as they cannot survive the warm conditions and their body fat deteriorates rapidly.

There is also inadequate shelter for these animals, a flimsy muslin type tarpaulin will not ease their discomfort adequately from the strong sun in Sharm, therefore this is just another welfare issue.

The 3 dolphins are also of concern. We have photographs and video footage of paying customers entering the pool to interact with the dolphins with absolutely no concern for the welfare of the animals. They are not required to shower beforehand, with some female swimmers clearly seen to be wearing make-up and smelling of suntan lotions. Swimmers were also not asked to remove jewellery which can seriously injure a dolphin's delicate skin.

From my comments you will see there are many issues which we feel must be looked into before this facility should be allowed to continue to keep these animals. The beluga whales are not in conditions which would adhere to international animal welfare law and we believe as the facility is not providing "fit and proper accommodation" the importation permit must be in question.

We have received many complaints and comments about this facility from divers and visitors to Sharm el Sheikh, which will only escalate given the vast amount of divers that visit Sharm year round from the UK and worldwide, and also some interest from international press and would welcome your co-operation and comments by return as a matter of urgency as these animals are clearly suffering.

Respectfully yours,

Margaux Dodds
Director & Co-founder
(The Marine Connection - UK)