Napier's new dolphin plans

The Marine Connection recently reported on possible breeding plan for Maui's dolphin in Napier Marineland. The charity strongly opposed to the idea, as this would require animals captured in the wild, and chasing, capturing and handling the animals alone can be harmful.

Previous experience in cetacean captive breeding also show that dolphins do not breed any faster in captivity than in the wild, in fact, the survival rate of captive-born dolphin and whale calves is lower than those in the wild. In addition, Maui's dolphins' slow rate of reproduction would not help the species chances of surviving in captivity, as female dolphins do not start breeding until they are seven to nine years old, and even then give birth only once every two to four years.

Take Action

Please write to New Zealand officials stating your opposition to captive breeding programme, and urge the government to conserve these vulnerable species by protecting their natural habitat.

Send your letters to:

Rt Hon Helen Clark
Prime Minister
PO Box 18888
Parliament Buildings
Wellington
New Zealand

Email
Fax 00 64 4 473 3579

Russell Fairbrother
MP for Napier
Parliamentary Office
Parliament Buildings
Wellington
New Zealand

Email
Fax 00 64 4 472 8013

Chris Carter
Minister of Conservation
Parliamentary Office
C/- Parliament Buildings
PO Box 18888
Wellington

Email
Fax 00 64 4 472 8034

Barbara Arnott
Mayor of Napier
Napier City Council
Private Bag 6010
Napier
New Zealand

Email
Fax 00 64 6 834 4147