Animal organization Animal Rights has filed a lawsuit on the island to stop the move, including a twenty-hour flight.” That case was filed on Thursday. “We hope that the judge understands that the transfer is very harmful to these highly intelligent animals,” said spokeswoman Anna Krijger.
From the paradise lagoons of Seaquarium near Willemstad, with excursions to the open sea, the dolphins Machu, Serena, Sami, Mosa and Luna would have to move to a concrete swimming pool in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The young animals are said to have already separated from the other dolphins and are being prepared for their long journey.
Former caretakers of the dolphins, who themselves worked at Seaquarium’s Dolphin Academy, are very concerned about the future of their beloved animals. “Of course you build up a bond with these dolphins over the years,” says Zenzi Willems. “Because they live in good conditions on Curaçao, I left them with peace of mind. But I hadn’t considered a chlorine bath in the desert.”
Apart from the stressful long journey, during which the dolphins have to be kept wet, Willems is also not convinced of good living conditions for the dolphins in Saudi Arabia. “Dolphins can’t smell. Dusts and sandstorms can cause fungi to get into their lungs, which can kill them.” Several dolphins are said to have died in the Jeddah enclosure in recent years.
‘Solution’
Seaquarium has permission from the Curaçao government for the export. In local media, a spokesperson does not want to confirm the planned move. But the tourism company does state that there are too many dolphins at the moment. ‘A solution’ would be sought for that.
Before this publication it was not possible to contact Seaquarium.
Animal Rights does not consider the export responsible for the welfare of the animals that have brought pleasure to so many tourists, including many Dutch people.
Krijger: “The natural habitat for the dolphins on Curaçao is 40,000 cubic meters of water. In Saudi Arabia that will be a concrete tank of less than 3000 cubic meters. We cannot do that to these animals.”