News Archives

September, 2003

New campaign offers hope for dolphins in Singapore

Captive dolphins in Singapore finally have a reason to smile thanks to a new campaign launched by WSPA member society, Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (ACRES). ACRES initiated its campaign, "Behind the Dolphin's Smile - A look into the plight of dolphins in captivity," following an intensive investigation into the welfare of the six dolphins currently living in Underwater World Singapore's Dolphin Lagoon.

The dolphins in the Dolphin Lagoon are part of a marine exhibit including a swim-with-dolphins component. The dolphins used are Indo-Pacific humpbacks and are known for being especially shy and sensitive animals. These introverted dolphins are forced to perform up to four times per day, 365 days a year. One of the exhibit's dolphins, Natam, died in 2001 due to a stress-related illness and concerns are high for the remaining animals.

"Despite their smiles, the dolphins are suffering," commented ACRES president, Mr. Louis Ng, at a press conference to launch the new campaign. "Enlightened governments around the world agree that it is cruel to keep these free-ranging marine mammals in captivity. Singapore should aim to be #1 in animal welfare too and not just be content with having the world's #1 airport."

Since its campaign launch in September 2003, ACRES has been working to educate the general public about the plight of captive dolphins by taking their messages on the road and circulating a petition to end the captivity of dolphins at Underwater World Singapore's Dolphin Lagoon. The petition already has over 2,250 signatures, including those of the SPCAs of Hong Kong, Malyasia, India and Nepal.

In addition to securing the retirement of the six Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins currently living at the Dolphin Lagoon, ACRES' 'Suffering, Not Smiling' campaign aims to:

· End the use of dolphins in animal shows
· End the petting and swim-with-dolphins sessions
· End further imports of dolphins to Singapore
· Stop new dolphinariums from being established in Singapore.

Underwater World Singapore became one of the first marine parks in Asia to keep Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins in 1999, so it is fitting that this facility be among the first targeted by this campaign. The dolphins owned by Underwater World Singapore were imported from Thailand to fill Dolphin Lagoon's tanks. At the time, the park claimed to have saved these dolphins from ending up on the menu at a restaurant in Thailand. But the evidence suggests something far less atrustic, as the World Conservation Union released a statement saying, "A directed net fishery for Irrawaddy and Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins has developed in Thailand to supply live dolphins to marine parks." (Reeves & Leatherwood).