Please release me, let me go, sings Sammy

Mahmood Saberi, Gulf News 10 Oct 08;

Dubai: The groundswell of support is growing for the campaign to free Sammy the Shark with readers' comments pouring into the Gulf News website from across the globe.

Readers have also made cut-outs of the 'Free Sammy the Shark' badge and are flaunting it. One reader pasted it on their vehicle and children especially find the campaign very appealing.

"After viewing the whale shark at Atlantis gathering swim patterns, it isn't rocket science," said Jarrod, from Melbourne, Australia. "It just swims in a circle constantly instead of navigating the ocean. The hotel would have known all along they wanted an attraction like a whale shark and made a poor excuse of rescuing it."

Rajesh from Dubai is more forthright: "Those who feel the shark is alright in the aquarium, I request them to lock themselves up in a room for a few years and see," he said.

Then there are pleas: "Please release Sammy, he belongs in the ocean, not in an aquarium. I've seen him, it's far too small in there for him," says Charisse from Dubai.

Neurotic behaviour

"If it is true that the people in Atlantis Hotel are taking care of Sammy, then it's okay, but they should free Sammy. As we know sharks stay in the sea not in an aquarium," said Chona, a Filipino expatriate in Dubai.

"To say the animal is not endangered does not mean it is safe," said Roland, from Dubai. "Very little is known about these animals and being as large as they are they take a lot longer to reach sexual maturity (around 30 years).

"Removing them from the ocean could have a significant effect on the population. Also, they are not being kept in a "safe" environment, they are being kept in a cage, and all animals in cages begin to display neurotic behaviour over time," he added.

Sophie again from Dubai notes that the travel range of a whale shark is much larger than what Atlantis could provide.

"If they are keeping the fish without the proper permits, they should release it," she said. "I would think whale watching trips to the sea could be a very popular activity the Atlantis could provide and charge for if they are worried about the loss of revenue from releasing the shark," she added.

But Abid from Melbourne, Australia, has a different take of the issue.

"I think the whale shark should stay in the Atlantis aquarium as there are lot of sharks in the ocean to play with, especially in Australia."

Rahanash from Sharjah thinks along the same lines. "Since this is not an endangered species and the hotel authorities are taking good care of it, I believe it's okay to stay there," says Rahanash. "Besides, every day, hundreds of such animals are caught, killed and eaten world over... at least one will be safe...at least for the time being. "It's just another publicity stunt... people should concentrate their time, efforts and resources in areas where it is really required."

Ahmad from Dubai says, "Shark in an aquarium, what is the problem? As long as professional people will take care of the shark, then there shouldn't be any issue to worry about."

Michele from Sharjah, a conservationist, believes that the actions and statements of Atlantis are "appalling". The whale shark is being kept in an artificial tank, what data can be gathered on swim patterns and feeding behaviours, she says.

Ownership proof owner's responsibility
Gulf News 10 Oct 08;

Dubai: The UAE Federal Law No 11 for 2002 concerning regulating and Controlling International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) of wild fauna and flora states in Article 3 that proof of legal ownership of any specimen within the included species in the appendices shall be the responsibility of the holder.

Article 6 states that any specimen taken from the sea, listed on CITES appendices, is prohibited unless prior permit is obtained.

Sammy, the whale shark in captivity in Atlantis has generated attention from international organisations such as the WWF and the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW).

Azzedine Downes, Vice-President for International Operations, International Fund for Animal Welfare in the UAE said IFAW has over one million supporters, many of whom are very willing to write to the Palm Atlantis management.

"[They] will change their travel plans if they believe that the Palm is not going to release the whale shark. We will be happy to begin forwarding these inquiries to the Palm Atlantis given that they do not seem to respond to Gulf News inquiries ... IFAW calls on the Palm Atlantis to simply do the right thing. Release the whale shark," he said.

Readers fear about shark's future
Sanya Nayeem, Gulf News 11 Oct 08;

Dubai: It has been 35 days and counting but there is still one less whale shark in the ocean. Growing concern among Gulf News readers has them all asking the same question - will Sammy the Shark ever swim to freedom?

Sofiane Boufas, an Algerian expatriate, was optimistic. He "I have heard of such incidents happening occasionally in places such as Canada. However, once the animals are treated, they are usually returned to their natural habitat and that is how it is supposed to be," said.

According to Fiona Mindonca, a Dubai resident, sharks and whales cannot be domesticated or treated as other animals. "Sammy should be swimming in the direction of the sea, instead of going around in circles in a tank," she said.

The issue is becoming more serious with the passing of time, as concerns about Sammy's future keep readers on tenterhooks.

Mohammad Ebrahim, a Pakistani expatriate, said: "Right now, Sammy is a baby and is just about 13 feet long. When she grows up to be the size of a school bus, with physiological needs and a predator's appetite. How can it possibly remain in the aquarium?"

He questioned the experience of medical professionals handling the 'vulnerable' species of fish at the Atlantis. Ebrahim added: "Personally, I do not think the shark can be well taken care of in a tank, simply because it is not her real home."

For Chris, a Gulf News reader, the fact that "one of the rarest creatures on the planet" is in captivity, was hard to digest. In his comment on gulfnews.com, he said: "I have been an active diver for over 14 years in many places around the world, but I have never seen a whale shark in the wild. Sammy must be released, so that future generations of the same species can exist."

According to David Pereira, a Dubai resident, Sammy should have been set free a long time ago. "If released too late, it may not be able to settle in its natural habitat and learn to hunt," he said.