Cliffy to remain at Sea World

The Marine Connection recently received confirmation that Cliffy, the friendly sociable bottlenose dolphin which frequented the area around the Port of Brisbane in Queensland, Australia before being captured and taken into captivity at Sea World, (located on the Gold Coast) is to remain there permanently.

Marine Connections' Liz Sandeman comments "Sea World recently stated Cliffy had lost sight in his left eye which, in the charity's opinion, gave them leverage to persuade the Queensland government to allow them to permanently keep this young dolphin. Cliffy, being a young healthy male dolphin, is a free gift to this facility and provides them with fresh stock from which to breed and the charity is shocked at this outcome and the authorities blatant disregard of public and international opinion."

Sea World have also stated that Cliffy's behaviour is abnormal and, if released, he would continue to seek and solicit interactions with humans for food. However, the Marine Connection questioned on what evidence this claim had been based, as hundreds of dolphins in Moreton Bay are partly human-dependent for food which has not led to their demise.

In view of this and the fact that Cliffy is intrinsically a wild dolphin who has only been held in captivity for a short time, we urge you to email the Queensland Government voicing your disappointment and disconcern at their decision to keep, what was a free ranging dolphin, in captivity for the remainder of his life.

We are further concerned for the welfare and safety of solitary /social cetaceans in the future around the world, as this may set a presidence for them to be taken into a captive situation if they frequent an area for a period of time.