PRESS RELEASE: Wild dolphins traded

[Guest guest]

PRESS RELEASE

 

 

 

5 February 2004

 

 

 

Acres investigation into Underwater World Singapore dolphins is proven right

 

 

SINGAPORE 5 FEBUARY - The Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA), in a meeting

with Acres on 20 January 2004 revealed that it had made a genuine mistake in

processing the application for the import of six Indo-Pacific hump-backed

dolphins (Sousa chinensis) by the Underwater World Singapore (UWS). AVA

mistakenly classified all of the dolphins as captive bred. It has now been

confirmed that only two of the six endangered dolphins were captive bred and the

rest were caught from the wild. This contradicted earlier claims by UWS, Sentosa

Development Corporation and AVA that the dolphins were captive bred.

 

 

 

According to our understanding, UWS had left Section 8 (source of animal) of the

application form for CITES permit and certificate blank. UWS, however, knew that

some of the dolphins were wild-caught and had informed AVA of this, prior to the

permit approval. AVA has now said that it will make the corresponding correction

on its annual Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild

Fauna and Flora (CITES) report.

 

 

 

This revelation proves Acres' claim that most of the dolphins at UWS were caught

from the wild is right. Our investigation, which brought us as far as Thailand,

was based on factual evidence and data. As an organisation that stresses on

education and carrying out scientific research to support more consideration to

animals, Acres does not make unsubstantiated claims.

 

 

 

UWS, which aims to play an important role in education, appears to have

misinformed the public. As of 4 February 2004, its website continues to maintain

that all the dolphins currently at Dolphin Lagoon are captive bred.

 

 

 

Furthermore, as a conservation-oriented organisation, UWS acquired wild caught

dolphins from Thailand. The World Conservation Union (IUCN) has reported with

regard to the Indo-Pacific hump-backed dolphins that " the demand for live

specimens in Thai oceanaria has recently led to the development of a directed

fisheries there and that the Indo-Pacific hump-backed dolphins are no longer

present in large parts of their former home range in inshore waters of

Thailand. "

 

 

 

Given that the current CITES permits for the dolphins at UWS are invalid, AVA

and the Thailand Fishery Department will be issuing new import and export

permits. However, the CITES Convention text, Article III Para 2 states that " an

export permit shall only be granted when the following conditions have been met:

(a) a Scientific Authority of the State of export has been advised that such

export will not be detrimental to the survival of that species " . Based on the

IUCN report, the export of wild caught dolphins is clearly detrimental to the

survival of this species.

 

 

 

Acres urges both Singapore and Thailand authorities not to issue permits for the

wild caught dolphins acquired by UWS and ask for the repatriation of these

dolphins back to Thailand. We also want to reiterate that keeping sensitive and

highly intelligent animals like dolphins in captivity will cause them great

mental stress. One of UWS's dolphins caught from the wild had already died of

acute gastritis, a stress-induced illness.

 

 

 

Acres would like to thank AVA for working with us towards the common goal of

greater welfare to animals. Acres will continue with the public awareness

campaign and call for the three remaining wild dolphins at UWS to be released

back to where they belong.

 

 

 

Contact:

 

Louis Ng (President)

 

Email: louis

 

Handphone: +65 9796 8592

 

 

 

- ends -

 

 

 

Notes to editors

 

 

 

1. Founded by a group of Singaporeans in 2001, Acres is a non-profit

organisation aimed at fostering respect and compassion for all animals. Acres's

approach to raising animal welfare issue is to focus on education and back up

our advocacy with scientific clarity accrued through research. Using our

findings, we will inform the public and work towards synergistic partnerships

with the authorities and related parties to improve animal welfare.

 

 

 

2. Acres launched the 'Suffering, not Smiling' campaign in September 2003.

The campaign aims to raise awareness on the plight of captive dolphins and

secure the freedom of the dolphins currently held in captivity at Dolphin

Lagoon, Underwater World Singapore.

 

 

 

3. The 'Suffering, not Smiling' campaign is supported by 45 worldwide

organizations and 9 385 people.