PHUKET OPINION: Dolphin shows are a thing of the past
Nicholas Walker


Inside the dolphinarium.

PHUKET: -- The furore brewing over the possibility of a dolphin show being set up in Chalong’s Soi Parlai is growing. While the details are still murky at present, if suspicions about the almost-completed structure are spot-on, the parties behind the project will only see objections and protests escalate.

In most of the world, dolphin shows are thankfully becoming a thing of the past – as well they should be, given the greater knowledge we have about these wonderful mammals and how they live and thrive in their natural habitat.

There are some, however, who remain unaware of the ethical and zoological objections to holding dolphins in captivity. In light of the looming disgrace in Chalong, these objections are worth reiterating.

Dolphins can and often do travel over 100 kilometres a day in their territory, hunting and playing, but obviously can’t do that in a small concrete tanks. And they are highly intelligent, yet in captivity they live miserable confined lives performing the same boring tricks day after day.

The capture of dolphins is a brutalizing experience which, scientific research has conclusively shown, has a devastating impact on the family group left behind.

And even though captive dolphins are kept in an environment free of predators and other threats, they die prematurely because the mental, emotional and physical stress that these creatures endure weakens their immune systems.

Worse, when not performing, captive dolphins are often kept in holding tanks smaller than show pools. Confining animals together in such unnaturally close proximity results in tremendous stress that often finds an outlet in aggression against other dolphins.

We have no right to imprison these amazing creatures for our “entertainment”. Captive dolphin shows have nothing to do with education or conservation, despite the ludicrous claims of show owners. They are all about making money – at the expense of the well-being of some of the most intelligent and sensitive animals on our shared planet.

Simply put, dolphin shows are wrong. Indeed, they are an untenable disgrace.

There are a few tour operators here in Thailand who take visitors out to sea to see these creatures in their natural habitat, happy and unthreatened. It is our hope that demand leads to a rise in the number of such eco-responsible tour operators, and a decline – right down to zero – in the number of on-land dolphin shows the world over, including in Chalong.

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/opinion-dolphin-shows-are-a-thing-of-the-past-47559.php


-- Phuket News 2014-07-28

Well purposed and meaning editorial. The Thai press should also voice criticism over the elephant shows and particularly the brutal training and beating of an elephant. Let alone the capturing and torturing of baby and adult elephants once they are captured. There are countless videos of Thai mahouts beating and clubbing elephants with picks on the head while their legs and bodies are tied down in a box like cage.

Dolphins and elephant shows should all be banned. Particularly in Thailand where regulations are not developed and in cases where Thais pay lip service to regulations, they merely ignore them for under the table payoffs. Eliminate dolphin, elephant and all wild animal shows.

Well said, I just hope this time ethics will win over money.

If there's a petition to sign or if George could start one, I feel fairly confident a good percentage of TVF members would sign it. That might be a step in the right direction to stop this Russian/Ukrainian man and his Thai partners moving forward.

If there's a petition to sign or if George could start one, I feel fairly confident a good percentage of TVF members would sign it. That might be a step in the right direction to stop this Russian/Ukrainian man and his Thai partners moving forward.

See e.g. this thread where you'll find a link to a petition, http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/744154-opposition-to-phuket-dolphin-show-growing-fast/

If there's a petition to sign or if George could start one, I feel fairly confident a good percentage of TVF members would sign it. That might be a step in the right direction to stop this Russian/Ukrainian man and his Thai partners moving forward.

See e.g. this thread where you'll find a link to a petition, http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/744154-opposition-to-phuket-dolphin-show-growing-fast/

Thank you SteveNL. Done and shared. The actual petition is here.

https://www.change.org/petitions/phuket-tourism-board-stop-the-nemo-dolphinarium-in-phuket-thailand#share

The structure of the aquarium appears be a temporary one similar to that of a circus tent.

Hopefully, one big puff of wind from the south-east will eventually blow that flimsy structure down sooner or later.

There are a few of these shows in Bali.....quite poor conditions.

I wonder if the likes of Seaworld in Qld Australia with large tanks, rules and regulations etc, these dolphins live a longer healthier life than the ones in such circumstances as the pools pictured and in Bali....just interested if the extra care and size of surrounds makes a huge difference, or none at all.

The reason being is that I believe some of these events are actually in the long run, very good for the species....nothing like interaction and close encounters to turn a person that is non caring, has no interest or such in the animals....all of a sudden a close encounter can turn them around completely....its about education and more often than not....education combined with such a close encounter works so much better.....of course a close encounter in the wild would be best, but not possible for all and in large numbers.

Just mho....

Of course I only stand by those views for well run and cared for operations....much of which does not happen in Asia

.

"Of course I only stand by those views for well run and cared for operations....much of which does not happen in Asia"

Try putting yourself in the place of the animal having your esteemed "close encounter" with some humanoid. At best terrifying, at worst, fatal.

Sea World, of 'merica, and their ilk thoughout the world are doing their best to perpetuate this myth of "close encoun ters" you like. I would rather not be a corporate dupe...

Its not about being duped if you know about it before hand is it ?

Its about 100 ignorant people not caring a toss about a dolphin...being educated and having that close encounter and then paying more attention to their plight in the wild....even if they only go and buy dolphin friendly tuna from that point on and maybe tell a few friends to do the same...its a positive start.

Yes, a few animals are sacrificed basically for the possible survival of a species.

Tell me which you would prefer to see....a few dolphins well cared for in captivity and offering this education experience and positive things being done for the survival of the species......or the greater population of the planet completely ignorant and uncaring to the animals and therefore their wild existence and ultimate survival......I know which I would prefer to see happen....

It is hard to believe it's 2014 in Thailand, with what goes on, A Dolphin Show ??? This kind of barbaric amusement went out in the 70's...

This is why it's maybe called Amazing Thailand...

This should be interesting:

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/The-Cove-to-screen-in-Phuket-30239993.html

PHUKET: The award-winning documentary The Cove will be screened twice at Central Festival Phuket next week to raise awareness of how dolphins are caught at the Taiji Cove in Japan and sold for use in dolphinaria around the world.

Central to the documentary, however, is how many of the dolphins are butchered and the meat sold to supermarkets.

Confirmation of the screenings came today at a meeting between Shoongiat Chotithamaporn, PR & Tourist Marketing Division Manager at Central Festival Phuket, and Nick Anthony, co-founder of the local environmentalist group SEEK (click here).

The movie will be shown on August 7, at 2pm and at 5pm. The venue will be under the canopy in the forecourt outside Homeworks at Central Festival Phuket East.

Entry is free.

An estimated 250 students from the Prince of Songkla University (PSU) Phuket campus are expected to attend, the Phuket Gazette was told.

Phuket Gazette

This should be interesting:

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/The-Cove-to-screen-in-Phuket-30239993.html

PHUKET: The award-winning documentary The Cove will be screened twice at Central Festival Phuket next week to raise awareness of how dolphins are caught at the Taiji Cove in Japan and sold for use in dolphinaria around the world.

Central to the documentary, however, is how many of the dolphins are butchered and the meat sold to supermarkets.

Confirmation of the screenings came today at a meeting between Shoongiat Chotithamaporn, PR & Tourist Marketing Division Manager at Central Festival Phuket, and Nick Anthony, co-founder of the local environmentalist group SEEK (click here).

The movie will be shown on August 7, at 2pm and at 5pm. The venue will be under the canopy in the forecourt outside Homeworks at Central Festival Phuket East.

Entry is free.

An estimated 250 students from the Prince of Songkla University (PSU) Phuket campus are expected to attend, the Phuket Gazette was told.

Phuket Gazette

great doco that.......for all the wrong reasons

Did this place ever open ???

Hope Not...

Did this place ever open ???

Hope Not...

Don't think so, not sure. Must have a look and check.

This should be interesting:

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/The-Cove-to-screen-in-Phuket-30239993.html

PHUKET: The award-winning documentary The Cove will be screened twice at Central Festival Phuket next week to raise awareness of how dolphins are caught at the Taiji Cove in Japan and sold for use in dolphinaria around the world.

Central to the documentary, however, is how many of the dolphins are butchered and the meat sold to supermarkets.

Confirmation of the screenings came today at a meeting between Shoongiat Chotithamaporn, PR & Tourist Marketing Division Manager at Central Festival Phuket, and Nick Anthony, co-founder of the local environmentalist group SEEK (click here).

The movie will be shown on August 7, at 2pm and at 5pm. The venue will be under the canopy in the forecourt outside Homeworks at Central Festival Phuket East.

Entry is free.

An estimated 250 students from the Prince of Songkla University (PSU) Phuket campus are expected to attend, the Phuket Gazette was told.

Phuket Gazette

great doco that.......for all the wrong reasons

Can you please explain the wrong reasons.

Per your earlier post there are much better ways to educate many more people than the few who will attend live shows. "A few dolphins well cared for" at that site in Chalong, you really have to be kidding. No care in the world could make up for the cramped conditions & loss of freedom these magnificent creatures will have to endure.