Petition set up for Arizona dolphin attraction
Apr 30, 2016, 12:04 PM
(Facebook Photo)
There are over 100,000 supporters of a petition to stop an Arizona swim-with-the-dolphins project. Various animal welfare groups are advocating that the attraction will be harmful for both dolphins and the public.
The attraction is set to be located on Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community tribal land near Scottsdale. The facility plans to hold eight dolphins in a million-gallon tank, and the public will be able to get into the water with them.
This past January, the Whale and Dolphin Conservation wrote to Dolphinaris and Ventura Entertainment, the owners of the attraction, on the potential consequences of the facility.
There are a number of bacteria found in dolphins that can cause illness in humans through inhalation or wound contamination.
Not only does the Whale and Dolphin Conservation point out potential health hazards for humans, but Courtney Vail, campaigns and programs manager of Whale and Dolphin Conservation, also highlighted the neglect toward the dolphins’ well-being.
When we think about the idea of giant concrete pools filled with chlorinated water in the middle of the desert, it doesn’t strike me as a wise use of scare water resources. And it’s as far from a natural environment for the dolphins as you can get.
Dolphinaris and Ventura Entertainment have not publicly responded to the petition.