Dolphinella, Sharm El Sheikh

Keeping beluga whales in appalling conditions

When the Marine Connection received reports of two beluga whales being held in a small "holding" pool next to the main area of Dolphinella, we were totally unprepared for what was discovered. Investigations showed that the water temperature in the pool was approximately 25 degrees - beluga whales (being marine mammals from polar regions) require water temperature of approximately 1-2 degrees. They were also being held in a tiny enclosure, in fact it was the isolation pool used for the existing dolphins. These beluga whales were not only suffering in this heat but their survival was in jeopardy.

The Marine Connection set about campaigning for the release of the beluga whales back to their origin, Russia, due to the poor conditions they were being held in which flouted international laws for housing marine mammals. Egypt is a member country of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES). CITES law states that import permits will only be granted if the receiving facility/destination can prove they are providing "fit and proper accommodation for the species concerned" which was quite obviously not being adhered to in the case of the water temperature for these beluga whales. With assistance and encouragement from our supporters and many months of correspondence with several relevant parties including the Head of CITES in Egypt, the Manager of Dolphinella and the Egyptian Ambassador in the UK, the owners of Dolphinella were finally ordered to return the two beluga whales to Russia.

The beluga whales were finally removed from Dolphinella and temporarily housed at Merryland, a captive facility in Cairo. Sadly, the beluga whales were not transferred from Egypt quick enough and the beluga whale named 'Hook' died on 13th February 2005. Despite constant lobbying for the removal of the remaining whale 'Feel' back to Russia, the Marine Connection can confirm that the whale is still languishing in Merryland. The Marine Connection is working hard to establish when the whale will be returned to Russia as required by CITES law.

Success! (24 August 2006)
The remaining beluga whale at Merryland, Cairo has now been transferred back to her cuontry of origin, Russia, as ordered by CITES in Egypt.

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