Below is a brief introduction of the ‘Save the World’s Saddest Dolphins’ campaign in Singapore:
25 bottlenose dolphins that once roamed free and wild in the vast Pacific Ocean, are now facing a life of captivity, boredom, stress, claustrophobia, frustration and slow death, thanks to Resorts World, which plans to keep them in its spa at Sentosa, Singapore. Two of their family have already died during the ordeal. Please help save these remaining animals
The campaign appeals to all animal lovers to pressure the management of Resorts World to release the dolphins:
What Resorts World, Sentosa is doing to bottlenose dolphins is enough to upset any animal lover.
Dolphins, you see, are highly social creatures that are accustomed to being in family pods.
These dolphins face a bleak future. It is up to all of us animal lovers to get Resorts World to rethink their decision to keep them in captivity.
Please ask Resorts World to let the dolphins go. Please lend your voice and support.
Below is a YouTube video in support of the campaign:
Avaaz.org, an international non-profit group, supports the petition
Petition To Resorts World Sentosa:
We call on you to release all the wild dolphins from captivity, stop your practice of buying dolphins caught in the wild, and support global efforts to end the hunting and capturing of wild dolphins.
Maybe the management will listen to the petition in the same way it canceled a whale shark exhibit two years ago after it too was protested by the public:
Resorts World was forced to abandon plans for a whale shark exhibit two years ago because of the huge outcry that threatened their reputation. Let’s build a massive call now to free these intelligent, beautiful creatures — and make this a turning point in the fight to end the global wild-dolphin trade. Our petition will be delivered to Resorts World and the media. Sign now and share this with everyone!
Below are some blog reactions. From Otterman Speaks:
As far as I am concerned, this plan to bring dolphins for display is a direct challenge to our dignity as a nation. Are we really going down this road of having dolphins jump through hoops?
It has also been tiring to hear very old and worn arguments from the 80′s and 90′s surface about the research and conservation benefits of having dolphins in captivity. The myriad of ills which the ocean faces will not be aided by any of this.
lekowala! criticizes the plan to use the dolphins for the hotel’s ‘interactive spa’:
What was RWS thinking? Anway, how can they use excuse that the dolphins can be used for “Interactive SPA” to heal the sick and disabled children. (I have no doubt dolphins make anyone feel better but it would be so wrong if the dolphins are captive). If RWS is really sincere about this, they should donate their earnings to hospitals, hospices and other organizations which are in a better position than an integrated resort whose main expertise is food, entertainment – namely gambling, to do these things.
3 comments
The WIP recently published an article about Resorts World Sentosa – namely addressing the social and environmental problems the two new “integrated resorts” have caused. I don’t believe the author was aware of the dolphins in captivity. The sad story of this abuse adds another level to the greater story of short-term profits over long-term sustainability and human and animal rights in Singapore.
Here is a link to The WIP story on Resorts World Sentosa: http://thewip.net/contributors/2011/05/new_integrated_resorts_are_sou.html
I am heart sick over this ordeal and plight of these innocent dolphins. They are ripped from their homes, the sea, baby calves as well I am sure, to only be kept in a concrete pool for the rest of their lives…in a concrete prison and they DID NOTHING WRONG. They are money making machines for the entertainment industry, Walt Disney World Resorts being one of the top dolphin pickers and slaughterers. Their sonar cannot work properly either. To a human, this is the equivalent of having your ears or eyes gauged out; and being disabled the rest of your lives and to be confined in a prison on top of it. HOW WOULD YOU LIKE THAT!!??. To let this continue is a crime. To do nothing is a crime. To go to these dolphin shows is a crime and they should be boycotted around the world. Awareness must be raised, funds as well, to get the campaign in high gear. I for one will do what I can as one person to help. Please STOP THIS CRIME AGAINST THESE INNOCENT INTELLIGENT BEAUTIFUL MAMMALS. Sincerely, Greta M. Stifel, Connecticut
this must stop this torture chamber for dolphins. this industry must be SHUT DOWN FOREVER….SAVE THE DOLPHINS…..