News Archives

February, 2004

Dolphins spared from massive hunt in Guinea-Bissau

Update: As reported by Le MatinaL Online, WSPA is pleased to report that the massive dolphin hunt proposed in Guinea-Bissau has been cancelled. Hans Joerg Schuhmann, owner and operator of River Zoo Farm, has been ordered to cease and desist all of his animal related activities, including the planned capture and export of up to 100 dolphins to Asia, indefinitely.

River Zoo Farm raises wild animals for export, many of which are endangered or threatened species. The attention brought to Mr. Schuhmann and River Zoo Farm as a result of the international attention received concerning the proposed dolphin hunt, culminated in an investigation into River Zoo Farm's practices and a suspension of their authorization to operate. Adding insult to injury, investigators from the Bureau of the Environment discovered that River Zoo Farm was operating on 494 acres, despite the fact that they were only permitted to use 222 acres.

The investigation into River Zoo Farms practices will be on going but at least for now, there are no plans to capture dolphins from Guinea-Bissau for the captivity industry. WSPA will keep you posted on any new developments.

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WSPA has received reports of a large-scale capture of live dolphins being planned off the Republic of Guinea-Bissau in Western Africa. The dolphins would be sold to various captive dolphin facilities around the world. China alone is said to be interested in acquiring 80-100 dolphins, with countless more going to destinations in Latin America. Adding to the horror of the sheer size of this proposed operation is the fact that many dolphins will inevitably die as a result of the violent capture process and international transport.

The architects behind this venture are said to be those responsible for the controversial capture and export of dolphins from the Solomon Islands, where several dolphins died during capture, 28 were shipped to Mexico despite rampant legal irregularities and dozens more remain in makeshift pens awaiting their fate. As was the case in the Solomons, business interests seem to be capitalizing on civil unrest and the lack of legal oversight in Guinea-Bissau to secure the permits and documentation needed to conduct such a massive hunt and trade in dolphins. Along with the obvious welfare considerations, experts are alarmed by the fact that no scientific studies of dolphin species have been conducted in Guinea-Bissau's waters and removing so many members will decimate the wild population.