Is Resorts World Sentosa sincere about marine conservation?

I refer to last Sunday's article, 'Free the dolphins'.

As a Singaporean and a member of the public, I have to say I am extremely disappointed with the way Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) simply brushed off the plea by Mr Ric O'Barry and the Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (Acres) to free the dolphins, by making vague statements such as it was 'following international rules on the treatment of marine animals' and that the dolphins were given the 'very best care'.

All the best care and international rules in the world can never replicate the free and open oceans that these wild dolphins used to roam in before they were captured.

Worse still, they are now being confined in small pens and made to perform tricks unnatural to them, for the amusement of humans.

If RWS is indeed sincere in being 'committed to marine research, conservation and education', as it claims, it would not persist in proceeding with its plan to exhibit the captured dolphins in its oceanarium in the face of much public objection.

RWS' claim smacks of hypocrisy in the light of what it has done. It is in fact being irresponsible by encouraging the wild dolphin trade.

It should now do the right thing by releasing the dolphins.

Jill Hum (Ms)

For more on the issue see ACRES "Save the World's Saddest Dolphins" facebook page