Dominica - - While the world watched, debated and cheered for Keiko, of
"Free Willy" fame, no one seemed to notice when four others of his kind were
quietly shipped from island to island in the Caribbean, left to suffer and
die. Last year, Isla, Jessica, Tracey and Kimbit, dolphins from Key Largo,
Florida, were carted off to be part of a captive dolphin swim program on the
island of Tortola. There they were confined to a small, filthy lagoon,
overrun by waste runoff, oil, garbage and fuel from a nearby marina and
surrounded by ceaseless noise pollution.
Then, after a year in this foul
environment - while the world seemed to rally around Keiko - these sick and
broken dolphins were passed around again, this time to the island of
Dominica. Shortly after arriving on the island, Isla died and Tracey is
known to be gravely ill. Why were four of our dolphins allowed to fall
through the cracks?
The dolphins' miserable journey began in September of 2001 when, against the
best advice of marine mammal experts and protests from animal welfare
organizations worldwide, the Florida facility "Dolphins Plus" sent the four
dolphins to Tortola to be used in a swim program at Prospect Reef Resort.
The controversial export took place with the permission of the National
Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), which is expected to ensure that any
facility that imports dolphins from the United States meets this country's
standards of animal care. Also, if the dolphins are, in turn, transported to
yet another destination, NMFS must receive notification of this as well.
All of these supposed safeguards failed Isla and her companions. And the
fact is that, for every one "Keiko" that retires to a natural environment,
there are countless more "Islas" who never escape the bonds of captivity and
lose their lives in the process.
The finger of blame points in many directions, but this doesn't change the
fact that Isla is dead; Tracey may soon suffer the same fate; and the lives
of three US dolphins hang in the balance. Neither Dolphins Plus nor US
officials seem to be acting in the best interest of the dolphins. Currently
in a murky holding pen, the dolphins are to be moved yet again as the swim
program facility edges closer to completion. Reports from Dominica say that
this could occur as early as December or January.
Time is working against Tracey, Jessica and Kimbit. We need your letters,
faxes, phone calls and emails today. Will you join with WSPA and speak for
these US dolphins?
Send your letters to:
Points to make: Dominica prides itself on being "The Nature Island of the
Caribbean" and is in danger of tarnishing this reputation by being
affiliated with an operation that exploits dolphins. Urge him to protect his
island paradise and respectfully ask that he: Allow an independent body to
assure the welfare of the remaining animals, and
Revoke the permit for Dolphins Plus to operate a captive facility on the
island.
Points to make: Captive programs are inconsistent with your idea of a
nature-friendly vacation destination. Dominica is developing a wealth of
wonderful programs to attract visitors and the exploitation of dolphins
casts a shadow over these other, ecologically sound attractions. You will
not be spending your tourists dollars in Dominica should this plan be
allowed to proceed.
Points to make: While NMFS was quite vocal in the debate over Keiko, the
"Free Willy" orca, it remained silent in the case of the less-famous animals
from Dolphins Plus. Clearly, the National Marine Fisheries Service cannot
guarantee the well being of captive dolphins once they leave the country.
Given this lack of oversight and enforcement authority, NMFS must cease to
grant permits that allow dolphins to be removed from the United States.
Prime Minister
Government Headquarters
Roseau
Commonwealth of Dominica
Tel: 767 448 2401
Fax: 767 448 5200
E-mail: pmoffice@cwdom.dm
Minister for Tourism
Government Headquarters
Roseau
Commonwealth of Dominica
Tel: 767 448 2401
Fax: 767 448 5200
Email: mintour@cwdom.dm
Permits Specialist
NOAA
Office of Protected Resources
Permits Division
1315 East-West Highway
Room 13822
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Tel: 301 713 2289 ext. 107
Fax: 301 713 0376
E-mail: Gene.nitta@noaa.gov