resorts world, singapore
In December 2008 and January 2009, a total of 18 dolphins were exported from the Solomon Islands to Ocean Adventure Park, Philippines to be trained before being re-exported to Singapore. These dolphins are scheduled to be sent to Resorts World Sentosa in 2010.
After the imports took place, the Philippines CITES Scientific Authority declared the imports to be illegal because of the inadequate non-detriment finding of the Solomon Islands. With illegally imported dolphins, the issue of re-exporting the dolphins to Singapore is now in doubt.
In response to news of Resort World at Sentosa’s purchase of 18 dolphins from the Solomon Islands, Mexican Senator Jorge Legorreta urged the Singapore government to
consider “the disturbing mortality suffered by these animals” after their import to Atlantida, Mexico.
Genting International, the organisation behind Resorts World at Sentosa and Awana Porto Malai, Malaysia, asserts that their Marine Life Park aims to educate the public on dolphin issues and conserve the species. However this is hypocritical as Sentosa island already has an existing dolphinarium, Dolphin Lagoon.
Animal protection efforts should focus on improving the welfare standards of the existing performing Indo-pacific Humpback Dolphins at Dolphin Lagoon instead of obtaining more wild dolphins from overseas for life in captivity at a new facility. Resort World at Sentosa's incentive is clearly economic.
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