News Archives

September, 2003

Efforts to free 8 illegally captured dolphins in the Dominican Republic continue

Manati Park just can't seem to get out from under the dark cloud of suspicion that shadows its name. Known as one of the most exploitive marine parks in the world, WSPA and its members have kept the pressure on the Dominican government. Now, a special commission has been formed to investigate the circumstances surrounding Manati Park's capture and keeping of eight dolphins.

The capture of the dolphins in August of 2002 sparked an international outcry and calls for a thorough investigation. The core debate centers around an questionable permit used by the park to justify the capture. WSPA attorneys, local NGOs, the Dominican Republic Academy of Science and federal legislators contend that the permit is invalid since 1) the capture took place in the protected waters of the National Park of the East, which had been designated a marine mammal sanctuary in 2000 (under Environmental law 64-00, article 175) and 2) the captures are in violation of the SPAW protocol (Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife) to which the Dominican Republic is a party.

Manati Park has long been called one of the worst captive holding facilities in the world. Though exact statistics are not available to the public, witness reports and anecdotal evidence suggest that several dolphins have died at Manati Park in the past few years.

WSPA has pledged its support and aid to the government of the Dominican Republic in its investigation of Manati Park. Dolphins have been successfully released back into the wild following years spent in captivity and WSPA believes it is quite possible that the eight dolphins captured last year may be able to make the full transition back to life in the wild.