The construction of a dolphinarium in the Thai resort of Phuket Friday sparked outrage from animal rights groups, who say the development is unneeded and harms animals.
Tourist Victoria Maltseva from Siberia leans forward to touch cheeks with an Irrawaddy dolphin, a critically endangered species, at Pattaya Dolphin World. The dolphin trainer seen behind her is giving the command for the dolphin to rise out of the water during a swim-with-dolphins session. A new dolphinarium planned in Phuket has sparked outrage from animal rights groups Friday. (EPA photo)
"We're basically taking these animals from the wild to die in a show for our entertainment," said Nancy Gibson, head of the Love Wildlife Foundation
A young tourist sits on an Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin as it whirls a hula-hoop around its nose at Pattaya Dolphin World. The dolphin species is listed as near-threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Their captive life is to perform tricks that they are commanded to repeat throughout each day for tourists. (EPA photo)
The groups said they would petition the fisheries department against granting the dolphinarium an aquatic zoo licence for the island resort.
"People won't come to Phuket for a dolphin show," said Nancy, denying the claim that the dolphinarium would promote tourism.
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In recent months, wildlife groups including SEEK Phuket (Society, Environment, Economy & Knowledge), the Love Wildlife Foundation and DolphinProject.org have hosted several events including a speech by Richard O'Barry, the host of the 2009 documentary The Cove.
An official at the company that owns the land - said by activists to be behind the development - declined to comment on the protests. He also refused to confirm or deny that the facility would house dolphins.
A Ukrainian dolphinarium company, linked to the Phuket attraction according to activists, is taking bookings for shows in Phuket from October.
The Phuket venture is not Thailand's first. Pattaya Dolphin World has been giving tourists in the Thai resort town the chance to swim with dolphins, and outraging animal welfare activists, since it opened in 2011.
That dolphinarium displays two Irrawaddy dolphins and a Indo-Pacific humpback. The Indo-Pacific humpback is listed as near-threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The Irrawaddy dolphins are listed as critically endangered, and their commercial trade is forbidden.