Resorts World Sentosa urged to make 'moral decision' on dolphins

Wildlife-rescue group ACRES wants resort to abort plans to house dolphins
Today Online 20 Dec 10;

SINGAPORE - Wildlife-rescue group Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (ACRES) is urging Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) to "make a moral decision rather than a business-minded, profit-making one" - by aborting its plans to house dolphins as entertainers following the death of two bottlenose dolphins which were bound for RWS' Marine Life Park.

Last Saturday, MediaCorp reported that the dolphins - out of seven that were caught in the Soloman Islands and kept at a holding area in Langkawi - had died from an acute bacterial infection of Melioidosis in October.

ACRES executive director Louis Ng said in a letter to this newspaper that the non-profit group was "disappointed" that RWS are proceeding with its plans.

RWS had noted, in response to MediaCorp's queries, that the Marine Life Park was "part of the bid" when RWS was awarded the integrated resort licence. An RWS spokesman added that it was "committed to delivering the bid and the Marine Life Park that will not only boost tourism but research, conservation and education in marine mammals in this part of the region".

But Mr Ng described these reasons as "appalling". Mr Ng reiterated:

"Our economy and tourism sector must grow, but it is time for us to ask, 'At what cost?'. We must remember that the two dolphins who died were sentient individuals who only a year ago swam freely in the vast open oceans. They died despite the team of marine experts and best care that RWS promised."

Citing the example of dolphin trader Chris Porter - who decided to give up his business of capturing dolphins in the Solomon Islands and selling them to aquariums - Mr Ng said RWS "must rethink their decision urgently".

According to Mr Ng, Mr Porter was inspired by the film The Cove and the recent death of a trainer caused by a captive orca.

Said Mr Ng: "If Mr Chris Porter, a dolphin trader, can have a change of heart, then surely RWS can as well."

Mr Ng added: "What can RWS really teach its visitors about dolphin protection? Would it not be an irony and contradiction for RWS to ask their visitors to protect dolphins when they themselves obtained 25 individual dolphins from the wild and two have now passed away."

Full letter by Acres on facebook.

Dolphin exhibit still part of RWS' plan
Straits Times 20 Dec 10;

RESORTS World Sentosa (RWS) will proceed with its plan to have a dolphin exhibition in its oceanarium, despite the recent death of two of the seven bottlenose dolphins it has in holding.

The news has drawn flak from animal welfare groups, which are asking the integrated resort to rethink its decision to keep dolphins in its upcoming Marine Life Park.

The two female dolphins - caught from the wild in the Solomon Islands - died after they were infected by the melioidosis bacteria while in a holding area in Langkawi two months ago.

Melioidosis is a soil-borne disease, with infections occurring primarily during the rainy season.

Mr Robin Goh, assistant director of communications at RWS, said the pair were in perfect health before the infection set in. The rest of the animals in holding have not shown any signs of infection, he added.

The 8ha oceanarium - the world's largest aquarium - was part of its proposal when Genting International won the bid to build the Sentosa integrated resort in 2006. It is expected to open next year.

In May last year, RWS scrapped another controversial plan to exhibit whale sharks. It said it might not be able to care for the animals, which can grow to more than 12m long and weigh up to 15 tonnes.

Asked if it would similarly scrap plans to exhibit the dolphins, Mr Goh would say only that the resort was 'committed' to delivering the bid and the Marine Life Park.

RWS to continue with dolphin exhibit
AsiaOne 20 Dec 10;

The two mammals died in Langkawi from a bacterial infection that arose from contact with contaminated soil and surface waters.

They were caught in the wild in the Solomon Islands.

Five dolphins remain in captivity, awaiting exhibition at RWS' Marine Life Park.

Robin Goh, assistant director of communications of RWS, said the dolphins had been in perfect health before the bacteria set in.

RWS have been under constant pressure from animal activists to relook its marine life exhibition. It scrapped plans to exhibit whale sharks last year.


RESORTS World Sentosa will continue with its dolphin exhibit despite the recent death of two its purchased bottlenose dolphins.