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Free the dolphins / 'RWS can set good example'

Section: Prime

By: SANDRA DAVIE

Publication: The Straits Times 29/05/2011

Page: 6,7No. of words: 934

ACTIVIST'S APPEAL TO RWS

Capture practices are cruel, says Ric O'Barry

Sandra Davie

Senior Writer

Free the dolphins.

That is the appeal which Mr Ric O'Barry, who shot to fame with his film on thecapture and killing of the marine mammal in Japan, is making to Resorts WorldSentosa.

RWS plans to showcase 25 wild-caught dolphins as one of the attractions at itsoceanarium slated to open by the year end.

In a letter sent last Friday to the integrated resort's chief executive Tan Hee Teck, MrO'Barry, who works for United States-based environmental group Earth IslandInstitute, has urged him to show Singaporeans RWS is a "true steward of theenvironment" and "a responsible company sensitive to the harm captivity inflictson dolphins".

The marine mammal specialist, 72, has also offered his help to rehabilitate and releasethedolphins back to the wild, in the Solomon Islands, off Papua New Guinea.

"Your cooperation would ensure that these dolphins (are) returned to their natural

habitat where they can thrive, as opposed to keeping them in captivity, separated fromtheir original home range and their pod," he wrote, adding that most Singaporeanswould object to keeping dolphins in captivity if they knew the capture practices.

The activist, who investigated the dolphin hunts in the Solomon Islands for a TVdocumentary last year, said they are cruel.

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"It is not that much different from what happens in Taiji, Japan. The dolphins arecorralled into a cove by the villagers. The healthy ones are caught to be sold toaquariums but the others are speared, clubbed and stabbed to death."

Dolphin-hunting nations such as Japan have defended the practice as being centuries-old. Taiji officials have said that the Japanese government allows about19,000 dolphins to be killed each year and Taiji hunts about 2,000 a year.

The Japanese have also asked Western nations to understand and respect differentfood cultures.

RWS has never revealed how much it paid for the 27 bottlenose dolphins boughtfrom Canadian dolphin trader Chris Porter in 2008 and 2009.

The plan to exhibit them along with whale sharks had drawn flak from environmentalgroups and animal lovers here. In May 2009, RWS scrapped the plan to exhibit whalesharks, saying it might not be able to care for the animals which can grow to morethan 12m and weigh 15 tonnes.

Nine of the 27 dolphins had been sent to a holding facility in Langkawi, Malaysia,while the rest were housed in Ocean Park Adventure in Subic Bay in the Philippines.

Two dolphins died in Langkawi last October from a bacterial infection arising fromcontact with contaminated soil and surface waters. A few months later, the remaining

seven were sent to the Philippines.

Local group Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (Acres), which sent ateam to Langkawi, noted that the sea pens were too small, rusty and in a high boattraffic area which would have been stressful to the dolphins.

RWS said the marine mammals were moved to the Philippines not because of the poorwater quality in Langkawi but to "continue integrating the dolphins into socialgroupings".

It added that it will proceed with its plan to have a dolphin exhibition in itsoceanarium. The 8ha Marine Life Park was part of its proposal when it won the bid in2006 to build the Sentosa integrated resort.

Last Friday, in response to another campaign launched by Acres to free the dolphins,Mr Tan said the company was following international rules on the treatment of marineanimals.

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Speaking on the sidelines of the official opening of RWS' Universal Studios, he addedthat the dolphins are "very healthy" and expected to be brought here in the next 12months.

RWS later issued a statement, saying the team was providing the "very best care" tothedolphins, including a superior diet and veterinary attention. It added that it wascommitted to marine research, conservation and education.

Asked to respond to Mr O'Barry's appeal, an RWS spokesman said yesterday his CEOwill do so after he has seen the letter.

Contacted by The Sunday Times in Miami, Mr O'Barry said it was ironic that RWSshould talk about conservation and education.

"The act of catching and confining these animals in concrete tanks and training themto become something they are not, cannot possibly contribute towards constructiveeducation on marine life and environmental issues."

Mr O'Barry, who is aware of RWS' record earnings, hopes it would take up his offer.Last quarter, RWS' pre-tax profits of $537.9 million trumped its competitor MarinaBay Sands' performance of US$284.5 million (S$350 million).

"If Resorts World frees the dolphins, not only will it show good corporate

citizenship, it will also be a massive windfall of good publicity for them."

He also appealed to Singaporeans to support his cause and do their bit to persuadeRWS to free the dolphins. "I have always admired Singapore from afar, for being thislittle island nation that does amazing things.

"Resorts World and Singapore can set an example here for being true stewards of theenvironment and helping to protect and preserve the different species that make our

planet a beautiful, rich place."

In Sentosa, dolphins are a draw at another attraction called Underwater World, whichis run by Haw Par Corporation.

sandra@sph.com.sg