Dolphinella, Sharm el Sheikh

Risking the dolphin and human participants health

The Marine Connection has serious concerns with regards to the welfare of the dolphins being used in Dolphinella's performances and the swim with dolphins programme. Swimmers were seen 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 in December 2005 which produced a multitude of issues which included several which flouted international laws concerning dolphinariums.

Summary of the Marine Connection investigation into Dolphinella, December 2005

• One of the dolphins demonstrated signs of severe psychological stress. The dolphin was seen laying stationary 'logging' on the surface with its nose pressed against the side of the pool for 20 minutes before the show began. It was also unable to complete a majority of the tricks during the show. Failure to complete a trick results in a food reward being withheld. For this dolphin, food deprivation would only aggravate its current condition. On other occasions the dolphin swam aimlessly round the pool not understanding the trick it was meant to perform. Even the most basic trick of fetching an object was too great a task for this dolphin. Disturbingly this animal was also used in the swim with dolphin programmes; this could place any participant at risk, as the trainers don't have full control over the dolphins' behaviour or actions, plus the animal could be suffering from an illness which could easily be transferred to human swimmers.
  
• For the entire duration of the show, loud music was played over a Public Address system, this violates EAAM requirements which clearly state that marine mammals should not be subjected to loud noise.
  
• The dolphins were repeatedly made to beach themselves on the side of the pool, for sometimes up to 30 seconds at a time. When a dolphin beaches itself a huge amount a pressure is placed on its internal organs, repeated occurrence of this behaviour can lead to injury and even death.
  
• Visitors participating in photograph sessions with the dolphins were not asked to wash their hands either prior to or after touching the animals. This is a serious risk to the health of both the participants and the dolphins. Numerous diseases can be passed from one species to the other; the main risks to humans being streptococci, pseudomonas and clostridium. The main risk to the dolphins is that participants may have been using sun screen or sun tan lotions which can cause damage and infections to their skin.
  
• Participants were also not asked to remove jewellery (watches, rings); this is a basic requirement that is enforced in dolphin facilities around the world, due to the fact that a dolphins' skin is easily injured by sharp objects and resulting infections from wounds can prove fatal.
  
• Each dolphin is forced to participate in swim with dolphins programmes, which amounts to four hours a day. This is DOUBLE the two hour maximum limit set by APHIS.
  
• APHIS requires "that pools used in swim with dolphin programmes contain an interactive area, a buffer area, and a sanctuary area. None of these areas shall be made uninviting to the animals. Movement of cetaceans into the buffer or sanctuary area shall not be restricted in any way". No such areas exist at Dolphinella, therefore this facility is in breach of regulations set out for dolphin swim programmes.
  
• Only a few of the participants were wearing life jackets during the swim with dolphin session. It is a basic requirement in the dolphinarium industry that all participants must wear a life jacket on safety grounds. Dolphinella are therefore seriously jeopardising the safety of your clientele.
  
• Dolphinella claim that their dolphins are captive bred. However a copy of the permit provided to us by CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna), clearly states that one of the dolphins was captured from the wild.

The Egyptian authorities claim that their dolphin facilities meet with international regulations, however this clearly is not the case. By promoting dolphin shows and swim with dolphin sessions Tour Operators are supporting this facility, and condoning unsuitable conditions for the welfare of the animals confined there. Click here for more information.