Free Flipper!
During our trip to Mexico last Spring, I was tempted to try out one of these parks (which is said to be « ecological ») where one can swim with the dolphins. I’m glad I didn’t do it now, whether or not this specific park I was considering uses dolphins captured in the wild. Still, dolphins are so fascinating, I can understand why the temptation would be strong to pay for one of these « swim with the dolphins » activities.
An aquatic park in Cancun, Mexico, has imported more than two dozen dolphins from halfway around the world, sparking protests from animal activists who say the practice is inhumane. Parque Nizuc, one of several Cancun businesses that invite tourists to swim with dolphins held in captivity, flew the animals from the Solomon Islands. Most water parks use dolphins bred in captivity, but tourist demand has spawned a market for the capture of dolphins in areas with few regulations. Gerardo Huertas of the World Society for the Protection of Animals said customers should consider whether to patronize aquatic parks that feature dolphins captured in the wild. « People will have to decide if they want to see dolphins in captivity doing pirouettes, » he said.
Via Wired News