Herman Grech
Claims against dolphin park 'baseless' and 'senseless'
Claims made against the Mediterraneo Marine Park by a top animal rights organisation have been dismissed as baseless and senseless by the marine park's management.
The park in Baħar iċ-Cagħaq was recently listed by PETA as one of seven cruel destinations by the largest animal rights organisation in the world along with the likes of the brutal bull-running festival in Pamplona.
For PETA, the 'swimming with dolphins' programme has miserable consequences.
It said that confining such mammals for eternity to tanks and forcing them to perform silly, repetitious tricks and swim in endless circles, is subject- ing them to unforgiveable cruelty. But Mediterraneo director Pedro Maghalaes insisted that the different accusations made by the UK-based organisation were incorrect.
"They are saying our pools are small - but in actual fact both our pools are up to the standards set by the European Association of Aquatic Mammals, which we form part of. They are actually much bigger than the standards set."
Mr Maghalaes insisted that Mediterraneo takes good care of its animals, evidenced by the recruitment of a resident veterinarian who specialises in marine mammals. The park is even equipped with a small laboratory which carries out all sorts of analysis and check-ups.
In the last three to four years Mediterraneo had invested some €1.6 million in the welfare of the animals, Mr Maghalaes said.
"We installed a UV system to sterilise the water, we cover the water with PVC, we created shades to keep the heat away..."
Mr Maghalaes described as a "lie" the claim by some visitors that the dolphins showed signs of illness and injury. The park gives its guests questionnaires about the welfare of animals on a daily basis - and nobody ever complained, he said.
Asked to reply to the basic accusation that such mammals should not be cooped up in pools, Mr Maghalaes replied: "With these kinds of parks and thanks to the research we carry out, we can help the animals in the wild. It's not just a way of having a fun park. We invest a lot in research."
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Doug Cartlidge
Aug 18th 2008, 12:08
The manager of the dolphinarium in Malta conveniently forgets the dolphins in his bare tanks originate from waters 3-10m deep (Red Data Book). This is a multifacited environment with sand, rock, weed, shingle and a multitude of other animals to interact with. Yet dolphins are the only zoo animal confined in totally barren cages...why is this?
PLEASE tell me why dolphins are the only captive zoo animal kept in bare cages, even snakes have sand, rocks, twigs etc....but this industry continue to provide nothing for dolphins to interact with other than prison wardens with buckets of fish!
Mark Aloisio
Aug 17th 2008, 16:37
It is up to us who object to this horrendous place to persuade as many people as possible not to go.
Jeremy J Camilleri
Aug 17th 2008, 16:07
A couple of years back, when my nephew had his birthday,I gave in to pressure, and notwithstanding the fact that I am a vegetarian and totally for animal rights, I, to my eternal shame, gave in to some pressure and took my nephew to swim with the dolphins.
I can honestly say that ANYONE doing the same, will easily note that the dolphins are NOT happy at all.
Their behavious is erratic, and it is obvious that they hate human contact.
To this day, I still feel the shame that my money, contributed to this cruelty.
As for Mr. Maghhalaes, is the company making any profit? if yes, then your arguments are based on profit and NOT the animal's welfare!.
Franco Farrugia
Aug 17th 2008, 15:32
Well said, Mr Cuschieri. What if dolphins could talk!
And indeed, patrons are more guilty than the keepers themselves!!!
A Cuschieri
Aug 17th 2008, 15:08
Wish dolphins could talk (and perhaps its the only thing which makes humans think they are inferior) then they would give Mr Maghalaes some answers.
What about all those individuals who pay for such a stupid pastime as the 'swimming with dolphins' programme , They are as guilty as the programme's organisers.
v.pulis
Aug 17th 2008, 14:09
"With these kinds of parks and thanks to the research we carry out, we can help the animals in the wild. It's not just a way of having a fun park. We invest a lot in research."
And who told you that animals in the wild need any help from you Mr. Maghalaes? unless it's the kind that tries to undo the damage caused by men like you in the first place?
The fact that animals are kept in tanks of whatever size to perform for the 'enjoyment' of humans is enough to qualify them as cruel places. This type of entertainment is passe' in the modern world people should show their diapproval by not patronizing these places.
J.Bonnici
Aug 17th 2008, 13:23
Mr Manghalas: the dolphins don't n need your s €1.6 million to sterilize the water. They'll be doing fine in the open seas.
Malcolm Borg
Aug 17th 2008, 11:15
This is not about fun Mr. Maghaleas...it is about your exploitation of animals for your selfish income.
"With these kinds of parks and thanks to the research we carry out, we can help the animals in the wild. It's not just a way of having a fun park. We invest a lot in research."
This comment is similar to the Ta' Cenc being built because the owner wants to preserve the environment.
Dolphins are made to run in circles, and provides 'fascination' by reaching a ball above the water level and this is ridiculous even if your water is clean and the animals are in the shade and in large pools.
Franco Farrugia
Aug 17th 2008, 11:09
Has anyone ever watched the film ELEPHANT MAN? That is exactly what I feel when I hear of people visiting places where any animals are kept for entertainment.
Mr Maghalaes can say what he wants but the truth is there for all to see, and visitors are generally, simply too naive or shallow or disinterested in animal-welfare to detect any signs that animals are not at their best.
The place for these animals is the open sea! Not fish-tanks!
Why we use animals for entertainment, for our financial gain, is beyond me.
I, as an individual and as an educator, will never be seen alive patronising these premises.
And you?
PS What kind of research is taking place at Malta' Mediterraneo?? Don't make us laugh!
Eric Gahn
Aug 17th 2008, 10:24
I wonder what Mr Maghalaes would say if HE were kept in a small cage with a controlled supply of purifed air and made to jump for balls and through hoops so he could earn his keep in the small cage.
And I ask, what kind of research is carried out at Mediterraneo? Do dolphins fly? Are dolphins capable of sending emails? And last but not least, can the dolphins find a way to escape imprisonment.