Marine Connection letter to Dolphinella, Sharm el Sheikh

4 October 2004

Urgent : by Fax & Email (Fax : 00 20 69 664 844)

Mr Wagdy Saad
Manager
Dolphinella
El Hadaba
Sharm el Sheikh
Egypt

Dear Mr Saad

I am writing with regard to the animals which are housed at Dolphinella following several calls of concern to our charity.

The Marine Connection are a UK based charity concerned with dolphin and whale conservation worldwide. As such, I felt I had to write to ask for your comments on complaints we have received from visitors to Dolphinella, concerned with the conditions at your facility.

Visitors have reported the following ;

* The two beluga whales are being held in a small "clinic" pool at the side of the main pool. The water in the pool is approx 25 degrees which is of extreme concern as beluga whales should be held in water no warmer than 1-2 degrees, therefore this greatly endangers their welfare and survival.

* The pool the belugas are being held in does not appear to meet international standards

* The dolphins being used in the "swim with dolphins" programme are being subjected to many stresses including ;

•  swimmers not required to shower before entering the water with the dolphins, therefore there is great danger of disease transmission. Also female swimmers have been seen to enter the water wearing make up and smelling of sun tan lotions.

•  swimmers are not asked to remove any jewellery which can damage the delicate skin of a dolphin.

•  when having photographs taken with the dolphins, the animals are out of the water on a platform resting on their vital organs "posing" with customers, this is of extreme concern as the animals are subjected to the effects of gravity and heat.

We believe that there is no educational or conservation content in your "performance", therefore how do you feel you are contributing to the welfare and conservation of the species you hold?

As stated, we have received many complaints and calls of concern about your facility and the conditions in which the dolphins and whales are being kept from tourists, divers and even the international press. People want to know what is being done to ensure the animals are not suffering which is why I have contacted you.

I respectfully request you provide answers to these questions and what plans you have to confirm to International Laws for the keeping of cetaceans as a matter of urgency, as these animals, the beluga whales in particular, are quite clearly suffering.

I look forward to receiving your comments as a matter of urgency.

Sincerely

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