WILLEMSTAD - According to Animal Rights, they received information in April of a pending sale and transfer of 5 dolphins from the Dolphin Academy Curacao to the Saoedi-Arabische Fakieh (faquh) Aquarium.
“We recently learned these animals may be shipped to a concrete prison in the desert as early as this Sunday or Monday (29 or 30, May). It seems the Dolphin Academy Curacao is trying to keep it very quiet. We do not want these animals to be shipped away at all, and certainly not in secret. Not only is the Academy tearing apart families, the transport of these individuals is long and very difficult, physically and mentally for these dolphins. After a long and terrifying trip, they will end up in a concrete, chlorinated tank in the desert. A place where all of the former exploited dolphins have perished,” said an Animal Right representative to Curaçao Chronicle.
No Comment
Animal Right says they have tried to talk to a spokesperson for the Dolphin Academy via email and phone but have been unable to reach anyone for any comment on this sale and transfer of these animals.
Animal Rights NL Director, Susan Hartland: "If the Academy feels this is somehow acceptable, why is the sale and transport being hidden? Because they know the public would be against it."
Their own animal welfare statements ignored:
From their own website and LinkedIn pages the Dolphin Academy Curacao asks of visitors:
Website:
"It is our sincere hope that these experiences foster care and concern for the welfare and protection of dolphins and their environment. We protect what we love!"
LinkedIn:
"We ask that the next time they read in the news, or see on television that a "x" number of dolphins have washed up on a beach, or drowned in fishing gear... they remember the names and "dolphinalities" of Curaçao - and realize that each dolphin is a valuable individual and not a mere statistic.
It is our sincere hope that these experiences foster care and concern for the welfare and protection of dolphins and their environment."
"How can they ask others to foster care and concern for the welfare and protection of dolphins, when it would seem they only have concern for the animals as long as they can be exploited and used to bring in money?" says Hartland.
Public Opinion is on the side of the dolphins
There is a petition being circulated that will be sent to the CITES Secretary General of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), Ms. Ivonne Higuero. The petition asks her to review this case and repeal the CITES approval by Mr. Faisal Dilrosun, (Island Territory of CURAÇAO Department of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries transport). This petition has been signed by over 7,400 people and can be found here:
“We hope that the Dolphin Academy Curacao will do the right thing and put the welfare of the animals over money,” says Heartland.
Animal Rights says it will continue to monitor the movement of these animals and keep attention on their situation.