Desert attraction temporarily closes after 4 dolphin deaths

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press

By JACQUES BILLEAUD
2 hours ago

PHOENIX (AP) — Dolphinaris Arizona opened in the metro Phoenix desert two years ago as marine parks elsewhere were scaling back exhibits amid criticism of the treatment of animals.

Animal rights advocates took aim at Dolphinaris as well, saying that putting dolphins in pools on tribal land in the desert was tantamount to animal cruelty.

Since its opening, four dolphins have died, with the latest death occurring Jan. 31 when a 22-year-old dolphin named Kai had difficulty swimming, eating and breathing.

. . .

The facility near Phoenix is believed to be the first newly constructed dolphin facility in the United States in a decade. It lets people swim and play with dolphins in pools on the edge of a dirt and cactus landscape.


Read more: https://apnews.com/897a53a0a4df4386afb194be12c72a5a

[Dem2theMax]

1. Unless they are sick and need our help,

the only place dolphins should be is in the ocean.

[rwsanders]

2. I was just reading about this facility on Tuesday,

In the book "Vaquita" by Brooke Bessesen:
www.brookebessesen.com/

Very sad, it appears that there were concerns about this facility from the beginning. Could be too much sun, too much stress, or too much heat. Or could be artificial seawater? The possibilities are many.

So while you are here for the dolphins, please remember the vaquita:
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10142258277
https://seashepherd.org/campaigns/milagro/

[lunasun]

3. Dolphins in extreme desert . Why? Oh yeah $

[ailsagirl]

4. Sad

[LiberalLovinLug]

5. So people with enough disposable income can stay and swim

with overheated, jailed, sick, sad, confused dolphins? What fun.

[Cold War Spook]

6. You want to swim with dolphins?

Our great grandson was swimming in the intercoastal near Hatteras NC last Summer. He didn't go swimming with the dolphins, they came up and swam with him. I don't know who had the most fun. A little further South at Bogue Inlet there are always dolphins that like to swim with humans. If you go to Florida, there are places where it is legal for humans to swim with manatees.

[SeattleVet]

7. Heartbreaking.

This thing is in a large complex in Scottsdale that also has the OdySea Aquarium. We were there this past April. The aquarium itself is a very good facility (they are accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, which has very stringent animal care protocols and requirements, and also performs a re-certification every 5 years), but we were appalled to see this dolphin entertainment in the middle of the desert. If I remember correctly, there was no roof or really any type of shade in the main pool area, and they didn't seem to have a full understanding that dolphins really aren't desert animals.

Having 4 die in this type of captivity is inexcusable.

[FreepFryer]

8. I would speculate that they could have a lot of trouble breathing that dry air.

Ever swim during a Phoenix summer? The air scalds and desiccates.