Straits Times 16 Jul 12;
MR BISWAJIT Guha, director of education and conservation at the Marine Life Park of Resorts World Sentosa, was quoted as saying that the 'dolphin issue was taking a turn that wasn't very scientific. It was tugging at people's heartstrings' ('Marine Life Park director to make dolphins 'ambassadors''; last Wednesday).
The issue should rightly tug at our heartstrings.
What is the educational value in watching dolphins swim in circles and feed on dead fish in a man-made aquarium where captivity, according to peer-reviewed papers, will drive them to abnormal behaviour? The educational claims must have been confused with entertainment.
True education is in the field studies and observation of the natural behaviour of cetaceans thriving in the oceans where they can demonstrate their spectacular and unique intelligence to the fullest, living free and wild.
Irene Low (Ms)
