Dolphinella, Sharm El Sheikh

Dolphinella in El Hadaba, Sharm el Sheikh is a captive dolphin facility in Egypt. The Marine Connection has had concerns with this facility for several years. Its "swim-with" programme jeopardises the health of both the dolphins and the human participants and they have previously held beluga whales in appalling conditions. Yet British Tour Operators still continue to promote the facility as a family excursion, please read below for more information.

Use of a wild caught dolphin within the facility
The Marine Connection has several concerns over one of the dolphins situated in Dolphinella. The charity has the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES) export permit for the transfer of the three dolphins from Russia to Dolphinella in Sharm el Sheikh. The permit specifies that one of these dolphins is "wild caught". There may also be legal implications if this animal was caught from the Black Sea since captures have been illegal there since 2002.

Miseducation of the public
The charity is seriously concerned about the false claims Dolphinella makes on signs outside the facility as well as on its website. These claims mislead and miseducate the public, the truth of which may put people off visiting the facility.
For more information please click here

Keeping beluga whales in appalling conditions

The Marine Connection decided to carry out further investigations into this facility when we received reports of two beluga whales being held in a small "holding" pool next to the main area, 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. These animals were not only suffering in this heat but their survival was in jeopardy.
Click here for the full story of the beluga whales

The remaining beluga whale has now been returned to its country of origin. Please click here for further details.

Swimming with the dolphins - risking the dolphins and human participants health

We also have serious concerns with regard to the welfare of the dolphins being used in performances and the swim with dolphins programme. Swimmers were entering the water without life jackets or being asked to shower, loud music is played throughout the performances and a supporter described an "overpowering smell of suntan lotion" which can impact upon dolphin's delicate skin. There are three dolphins being used in the programme, one of which is showing particular signs of stress. Marine Connection undertook an investigation into the facility which produced a multitude of issues which included several which flouted international laws concerning dolphinariums.
Click here to learn more about our investigation

Take Action! Read this if you are traveling to Sharm El Sheikh
In the meantime if you are on holiday and are in a position to take photographs of dolphin or whale facilities or report any concerns to the charity please contact us so that we can take further action. We would also like to hear which tour companies and hotels are selling tickets to Dolphinella so that we can contact them and ensure they know the facts. Input from concerned travellers is crucial, so please forward any photos, video footage or messages of concern to the charity.

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