Dolphins, seals arrive at Phuket's B100mn Nemo marine park

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Dolphins, seals arrive at Phuket's B100mn Nemo marine park
Tanyaluk Sakoot


The five dolphins, pictured here at Phuket's yet-to-open Nemo dolphinarium in Chalong, are currently undergoing acclimatisation after their flight from the Ukraine. Photo: NEMO - Dolphins Bay Phuket

PHUKET: -- Five dolphins and two seals have legally landed in Phuket and are undergoing acclimatisation at the B100 million Nemo Dolphinarium in Chalong ahead of the tourist attraction opening soon.

The seven sea mammals arrived by flight from the Ukraine last week, confirmed Supreecha Suthamanondh, General Manager of Phuket Aqua Project Co Ltd.

“The animals are in a coroutine period with their handlers so they can adjust to their new environment,” he said.

“Right now our top priority is for our specialists to take good care of them and make sure they feel comfortable in their new surroundings as soon as possible.”

Mr Supreecha confirmed that the Nemo facility had been issued permits to import the animals and to operate as a public zoo.

“This aquarium is not only to serve as a tourist attraction for Thais and foreigners, but also as a learning centre and a research facility” he said.

“Getting this through has not been easy. There are many processes to complete and conditions to adhere to. The aquarium building needed many adjustments, which took about seven months to complete and taking the total cost of the project to about B100 million.

“I did not want to go public before because not everything was finished, but all processes are complete and have been approved by Fisheries Department.

“We will have our soft opening soon. We are waiting for Department of Fisheries to inspect to make sure they are healthy,” Mr Supreecha added.

Pisanut Ana-Nan, Director of the Department of Fisheries Phuket office, confirmed that his office was informed by the Phuket from Phuket Provincial Aquatic Animal Inspection Office that dolphins and seals had arrived.

“Their officers confirmed that the dolphins and seals were delivered in correct accordance with the CITES* agreement, and they are now processing the official document to hand the case to the Department of Fisheries,” he said.

“After we receive the official request from them, we will inspect the animals to make sure they are healthy and disease-free. This should be completed within the coming week,” Mr Pisanut added.

Full story: http://www.thephuketnews.com/dolphins-seals-arrive-at-phuket-b100mn-nemo-marine-park-54597.php


-- Phuket News 2015-10-19

[Somtamnication]

A research facility? How to abuse "training"?

[phuketrichard]

once again big money wins even though most on the island are opposed to this shameless treatment of the Dolphins.

[Toknarok]

Sentenced to life imprisonment for the entertainment of stupid tourists.

I remember the Atlantis Marine Park in Two Rocks, Yanchep W. Australia. Although i Lived at one time in Yanchep I never visited as the very idea appalls me. The park eventually went broke and they tried to re-habilitate the dolphins to the wild causing them much distress and for some of the animals was not a success. Link.....https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlantis_Marine_Park

I hope this cruel venture falls flat and the promoters suffer financially, but I suppose the majority of tourists visiting will be Chinese and we all know the Chinese record concerning animal welfare.

[FBlue72]

So when's the soft protest?

[zappalot]

sad to hear they open another horrible place for from the wild captured animals - even worse since it opens in thailand where they do not care at all about animals in zoos, just have a look into the ones around bangkok.

[LivinginKata]

Very sad news to hear that this cruelty is going ahead. Hope the business goes broke.

[dageurreotype]

A research facility? How to abuse "training"?

Been working for the Japanese for a very long time now ..

[dageurreotype]

Very sad news to hear that this cruelty is going ahead. Hope the business goes broke.

Don't worry, it will. Most Russians gone and Chinese sure to follow, with increasing prices.

[hansgruber]

Thats one expensive swimming pool.

[Valentine]

Thats one expensive swimming pool.

Yep. If you look at the place it is hard to imagine 100 million spent on construction unless it includes tea money.

[bubblegum]

B100mn wow, I rather eat Tuna.

[tuanku]

An extension of marine based slavery to other species!

[Srikcir]

"Five dolphins and two seals have legally landed in Phuket"

Each had a new Turkish passport.

[cracker1]

And the entry fee for Farang's is.................?

And the entry fee for Thai's is,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,.,,,?

[anon467367354]

to keep a creature, a super intelligent one at that which uses echo-location in an enclosed pool

is cruel beyond belief. I hope people boycott this monstrosity. Shame on you Thailand!

[duckmandon]

If they only spent B100million on a facility then there way short. Typical of Thais build something the cheapest possible way & then we will charge the most we can. Poor animals!

[Farang99]

once again big money wins even though most on the island are opposed to this shameless treatment of the Dolphins.

Where are the animal welfare organostions while this is being set up?

[phuketrichard]

Very sad news to hear that this cruelty is going ahead. Hope the business goes broke.

wishful thinking, i thought the same when they started Tiger kingdom

even with people being attacked it goes on.

this will be on the Chinese "to do" list as well as;

the Lady boy cabaret, tiger kingdom, gem shopping ( anyone seen the new gem store going up near Heroines monument?), Jet ski's

It's all about $$$$

[hansgruber]

If they only spent B100million on a facility then there way short. Typical of Thais build something the cheapest possible way & then we will charge the most we can. Poor animals!

Its actually russian owned. Thais are only guilty of overcharging them.

[simon43]

.. even though most on the island are opposed to this shameless treatment of the Dolphins.

I'm not interested in taking sides here, but how do you know that 'most on the island' are opposed?

Do you think the Thais, Russians, Chinese, other Asians, tour and taxi companies etc etc are opposed? IMHO, I don't think so.

On this island, money comes first - that is a way of life.

[tuanku]

Maybe they are these dolphins....http://www.theguardian.com/world/shortcuts/2014/jul/06/ukraine-combat-dolphins-russia-give-back