Dolphin Ori (7) dies in Boudewijn Seapark

Dolphin Ori died in early January in the Boudewijn Seapark. The animal was only seven years old and was born under a breeding program. The animal died at a fairly young age, because dolphins live an average of twenty years in the wild. In captivity they usually grow a little older.

Animal rights organization Bite Back says the park itself did not come out with the death of the animal. “We are surprised that the dolphinarium itself has not communicated about this. They had almost six months for this,” says Bite Back. “It seems to us that the park deliberately wanted to keep quiet about the young dolphin’s death, because they know the dolphinarium is already under attack. A dead animal would not do their image any favors right now.”

Death reported

Boudewijn Seapark contradicts that. “We have reported the death through the official channels to the competent authorities, as it should be,” it sounds. The dolphinarium confirms that the animal had an ear infection and a brain infection. “The autopsy showed that. However, no clear cause of death has been determined.”

Following the death, Bite Back repeats the request for a ban on dolphinariums in Flanders. “Minister of Animal Welfare Ben Weyts (N-VA) declared in 2019 that he was in favor of an extinction policy, but he has not acted on this so far. Before the July summer recess, he would make a decision about the future of dolphinariums in our country. We hope that the extinction policy does not become a postponement policy.”