Bayworld dolphins head for Ocean Park

Domino and Dumisa, the two remaining dolphins at South Africa's 'Bayworld' in Port Elizabeth are to be flown to Hong Kong's Ocean Park on breeding loan.

In 2008 it was reported that the local authorities were considering applications for capture of wild dolphins from SA coastal waters to restock the facility as the remaining two dolphins were genetically compromised, however when plans met with international furore the facility obviously looked at other ways to solve their situation and now it is believed that when they arrive at the Ocean Park facility, Domino and Dumisa will be separated to ensure they do not breed with each other, but no doubt Bayworld hope that they will successfully breed with Ocean Parks' existing dolphins to allow a reciprocal export from the facility in the future.

The National Environment Department has stressed that their approval for this 'breeding loan' does not imply that they would support the capture of wild dolphins in the future or allow wild caught dolphins to be imported into the country. They stress that the export permit was only issued following extensive discussions and considerations of alternative resolution of the situation. Meanwhile Bayworld have been transporting the dolphins for brief periods in the local area in a horse box in an attempt to prepare them for their long journey ahead to Hong Kong.