Wild dolphins belong in the wild. Period.
by Alexandra
February 21st, 2007
I am leaving tomorrow for Central America and will be in Panama next week to talk with policy makers, NGOs, and the media about a proposed project to capture up to 80 wild dolphins for display in a local water park. Imagine that—80 dolphins.
Dolphin populations in the Eastern Tropical Pacific (the coastal region that stretches from the west coast of Mexico down to Ecuador) have been decimated over the years by harmful tuna fishing practices. Even today, when more care is taken to make sure the dolphins are freed from the nets, those populations are not coming back. Some scientists think that the trauma the dolphins experience when they are taken in the nets is preventing them from being able to reproduce normally. To be honest, I am not surprised.
Think about it. Dolphins are highly social and intelligent animals that live in tightly knit family groups. Chasing them with boats, netting them, separating mothers from their babies—that’s bad enough. But taking dolphins from the freedom of the ocean and the comfort of their family to put them in a swimming pool where they have to learn to eat dead fish and do tricks for tourists is just wrong. I know people love dolphins—but is it right to hurt them so that we can spend a few moments with them in a water park? People I know who have been on what they call a “dolphin collection” told me that the process of capturing a wild dolphin is like a “kidnap” and a “rape.” Sometimes the ones left behind chase the boats leaving with a captured dolphin until exhaustion, calling out to the dolphin on the boat, following until they can’t follow anymore. How can we, as a society, feel good about this?
I have seen dolphins in the wild. I have spent hours swimming with them. Wild dolphins belong in the wild. Period.
So, I am going to Panama to add my voice to those who want to stop this project. What do you think?? If you agree with me, please visit Marine Connection and send the President of Panama a letter! Ask your friends and family to do the same. Please help me! It really would make a HUGELY positive difference.
February 22nd, 2007 at 12:36 pm
That´s just horrible.
People abuse of nature to get money with turism.
I agree: dolphins belong and should stay in the wild.
I´m already sending my letter to the President of Panama.
I really hope that works. ´Cause all of this is just not fair.
Good luck there.
February 23rd, 2007 at 1:10 am
Thank you so much Patricia! It means so much to me to have your support. I’ll definitely let you know how this all turns out.
February 24th, 2007 at 5:34 am
Dear Alexandra,
I agree.
Until now I always was upset and angry when I heard about those terrible things.
But this is not enough, it needs to take action.
So I asked my colleagues. 12 letters are on their way from Germany to Pananma!
Hope the dolphins have a chance to stay wild and free.
Good luck for your mission!
Thank you so much for the great work you and your brother are doing!
P.S. Sorry for my poor English.
February 24th, 2007 at 2:45 pm
This just makes me so mad, they’d be better off developing sustainable eco-tourism activity to observe and protect these animals in the wild, instead they find it easier to steal dolphins and harm what they’re ironically trying to appreciate. This will severely harm not only the captive’s health but the wild population’s reproductive capacity, I’ll be sure to tell Mr. President just that. Good luck Alexandra.
February 24th, 2007 at 7:25 pm
This proposal astounds me not just because of the sheer lack of humanity in rounding up dolphins for pure entertainmnent and display (what happened to good old fashion water slides?) but also due to the impact that it will may make on the larger oceanic environment. It seems that removing 80 dolphins from the ocean - and I am assuming from the same region - will have dire consequences not just for these dolphins but also for the environment that these dolphins shares. It is amazing how governments and private companies (e.g. water parks) don’t see the larger implications of systematically removing species from their native habitats. Kudos to your efforts and good luck.
February 25th, 2007 at 2:00 am
Thank you. I did my small part sending letters. I hope that these captures do not take place. It is terrible.
February 27th, 2007 at 12:03 am
The Panamanian dolphin capture case has been discuss in the Panamanian Aquatic Resources Authority (Autoridad Panameña de Recursos Acuáticos), 9 representatives, only two are against the proposal (NGO´s and Smithsonian representative). Is possible to pressure no only the President of Panama, but also authorities from Tourism Institute, Environment Institute, and University of Panama. They must change the decision.
February 27th, 2007 at 8:05 pm
Helloo Alexandra, I`m from Panama, I`m from Almanaque Azul radio program and I`m a biology student from the University Of Panama I would like to contact you for an interview, is interesting the work you are doing for preserve marine species, the studies you are doing about sharks, and other projects you have in mind, the people needs more information about the consecuences this project can bring to marine species? maybe if speciallist like you can come and explain more about the repercussions this projects bring to the environment the people can understand the problem we have, and they can join to fight against this.
Is a sad situation we are having here in Panama, because there`s a lot of pressure over government institutions, there`s money around and they are just looking for the money and not for the repercussions the projects brings, I also get informed that they don`t think to build just one dolphinarium they want to build 3 of them around: Bocas del Toro, Las Perlas and San Carlos.
Thanks a lot for the attention and the great work!
February 28th, 2007 at 11:42 pm
Holaaa Alexandra, mil gracias por la entrevista y el apoyo que nos estas brindando a todos los panameños, la conferencia que se realizó en el Auditorio del Smithsonian fue excelente, gracias por los consejos, en nombre de Almanaque Azul muchÃsimas gracias, esperamos tenerte muy pronto de vuelta por Panamá! lastima que el tiempo se hizo corto pues hay muchos temas que tocar, esperemos que el asunto del delfinario concluya de la mejor forma posible por el bien de las especies y del mismo paÃs, que tengas muy buen viaje!
aquà dejo mi correo, para estar en contacto: esther_patricia04@hotmail.com
estherpatricia04@gmail.com
March 13th, 2007 at 6:30 pm
In a hundred years (or hopefully less!!!), humankind will see this horrible animal abuse like we now see the Roman’s use of prisoners for amusement, thousands of years ago…. These things prosper because there is a market out there, and there is a market because people DON’T KNOW how misserable the poor dolphins are in captivity! Thank you SO much, Alexandra and Phillippe, for doing so much in this regard. You do a lot of honor to your Cousteau genes! …and more!
March 18th, 2007 at 2:55 am
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March 23rd, 2007 at 8:52 am
Does anyone have the address of the Panama government? Let’s all write tons of letters protesting this - perhaps threatening a boycott of travel there? As a poor country, Panama depends on tourism for income so they may listen if thousands of letters come in all over the world.
March 29th, 2007 at 8:28 am
What can we do to make sure were not supporting or viewing a company/person that took their captive dolphins from the wild? It’s too cruel and honestly is ridiclulous. Why don’t they just do dolphin trips out to the wild. It’s much prettier anyways.
March 29th, 2007 at 8:42 am
Go to “A LONG DAY” there you will find the government info you need. in the comments.
May 4th, 2007 at 5:41 pm
Alexandra, thank you for your visit. It was certainly inspiring to have you here. We continue on with the fight now in these crucial hours. Today it appears, it will all be decided. Thank you again for your support to panamanians and all citizens of humanity for that matter.
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