Support ACRES effort for wild dolphins in Singapore

If people learn about and see dolphins in the wild, they will never want to see them in captivity.

ACRES is launching a brand new project to help save dolphins, and are asking for help to fund its two components:
1. A ground-breaking study of wild dolphins in Singapore waters.
2. Exploring Singapore’s first ever dolphin-watching tours, providing an ethical alternative to seeing dolphins in captivity.

Resorts World Sentosa says Singapore has no wild dolphins: NOT true!

Resorts World Sentosa says "dolphins aren’t native to the waters of Singapore" in a bid to get people to pay for a 'magical' experience with captive dolphins.

Wild dolphin seen off Kusu Island, Sep 2014
Photo by Samuel Tan shared by Rene Ong shared on facebook.

This is completely untrue!

Wild dolphin seen in the Singapore Strait
Photo by Con Foley.

Wild dolphins are native to Singapore and have been regularly sighted in Singapore waters. The most recent sighting was last month near Kusu Island by Rene Ong. Her sighting is captured in the Singapore Biodiversity Records.

What do ordinary Singaporeans think of dolphins in captivity?

The majority of Singaporeans support catching and keeping dolphins in captivity for educational purposes, an NUS undergraduate study has found.

Li Jinghan, supervised by Dr Zeehan Jaafar gathered responses on the issues from over 1,200 individuals. She is keen to share her findings with interested stakeholders during her talk on 13 Apr (Fri) 11am. She also hopes for a healthy discussion after her talk. 

Find out more about her study during her talk "Public Perception on Dolphins in Captivity - The Singapore Story".  More details in this pdf.

14 Dec (Wed): Free screening of "A Fall from Freedom" by ACRES

Whales and dolphins have captured the imagination of people all over the world. They have come to symbolize not only an alien form of intelligence, but a sense of ultimate freedom in their marine environment and a camaraderie among their herd mates that we envy and admire.

A Fall From Freedom trailer from OdyseeTV on Vimeo.

A Fall from Freedom is the first film to expose the long and sordid history of the captive whale and dolphin business: a history that continues to this day. The illegal capture and transport of killer whales, the thousands of dolphins that are killed in order to provide marine parks and aquariums with replacement animals, and the ability of these facilities to miseducate the public about these animals.

These, and many other issues, are covered in graphic detail in this 80-minute film.

Resorts World Sentosa responds on sourcing of fishes for Marine Life Park

On 21 Sep, I had posted on this comment on MLP Aquarium Curatorial team goes fish-ing: Where do these farms get their fishes from? Were the fishes sustainably harvested? Captive bred? Did RWS look at these issues when purchasing their fish stocks? Other aquariums have supported efforts to sustainably harvest wild reef fish and to develop sustainable captive breeding. Will RWS and Marine Life Park adopt this approach? With more details in my earlier blog post.

"Craig Sowden checking out a species
of ray on one of the reconnoiter trips" From the MLP blog

On 26 Sep, I received this response from Craig Sowden, Director of Oceanarium and Chief Curator.

Resorts World Sentosa: will it kill half a million fishes?

Resorts World Sentosa just revealed it has started shopping for 100,000 fishes from at least 500 species by visiting fish farms for stock for its Marine Life Park.

Photo by James Cervino, Ph.D. from Cyanide Fishing Makes a Comeback
by Andy Bruckner, NOAA Fisheries on Fish Channel Aug 2008

Where do these farms get their fishes from? Were the fishes sustainably harvested? Captive bred? It seems Resorts World Sentosa is NOT looking at these issues when purchasing their fish stocks.

A recent study reveals that today 99.9% of fish sold in the the saltwater ornamental market is wild caught. A popular method to harvest wild fish is using cyanide, which has devastating impact on the reef. 80% of such harvested fish die even before reaching a tank. If this is true and if Resorts World Sentosa uses cyanide-caught fish, this means the 100,000 fishes they purchase supports a process that would have killed 400,000 fishes even before the exhibit opens. This number will continue to grow as dying fishes are replaced with new fishes from the cyanide trade.

12 and 13 Jul (Tue and Wed): FREE screening of “The Cove”

ACRES announces this screening, sponsored by Earth Island Institute. Tickets are allocated on a first-come-first-served basis. Please RSVP by sending an email to denise@acres.org.sg. Limited seats available!

"The Cove" is a fascinating, internationally-acclaimed documentary exposing the shocking truths about the killings of dolphins and, most importantly, how you can play a part to help them.

ACRES launches "Save the World’s Saddest Dolphins"

ACRES aims to secure the freedom of the remaining 25 wildcaught dolphins bought by Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) for their attraction in Singapore. To do so, ACRES has launched series of resources including a facebook page.

Join ACRES at the “Save the World’s Saddest Dolphins” roadshow at the Far East Plaza (Level 2 Concourse) from 27 May (Fri) until 29 May (Sun) 11am - 9pm daily. Record your video petition at the roadshow and urge Resorts World to please let the dolphins go.

Dolphins bought by Resorts World Sentosa die

Two of the seven bottlenose dolphins have died in a holding area at Langkawi. They were destined for Resorts World Sentosa's (RWS) Marine Life Park, reported Esther Ng in Today.

Photo of dolphin in the Langkawi pen, from Natura Gig.

According to the Today article: The dolphins were caught from the wild in the Solomon Islands in January. Two females - one aged between four and five years and the other, around 10 - died from an acute bacterial infection of Melioidosis in October, said RWS spokesman Robin Goh on Friday. They were in "perfect health" previously, he noted. The remaining five have no signs of infection.

I first heard of the dolphins in Langkawi when WChinner posted on Natura Gig about cages being set up at Awana Porto Malai, a resort there. I later learnt that one of the Langkawi dolphins may have escaped from the pen, thanks again to WChinner on her Natura Gig. She has updated her blog with this latest sad news.

Sentosa's Dolphin Lagoon is too small: SPCA

Too small for its six dolphins and "a concrete swimming pool" says the SPCA of the new dolphin enclosure at Underwater World Singapore (UWS) as reported in the Straits Times today.

Screen shot from RazorTV videoclip of the new dolphin lagoon.

Previously, the dolphins were kept in a lagoon with "natural rock" and "a surface area of 1ha and held 30,000 cubic m of water, or enough water to fill 12 Olympic-size swimming pools."

UWS "did not give the dimensions of the new pool", but "said it exceeded international guidelines and safety standards. It has also been approved by the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA)."

Dolphin escapes from Resorts World Sentosa?

Thanks to WChinner on her Natura Gig, there's another update of the dolphins being held in a pen at Awana Porto Malai, Langkawi. These dolphins are ostensibly destined for eventual transfer to Resorts World Sentosa.

Photo from Natura Gig.

WChinner heard "from the grapevine" that one of the dolphins had escaped from the pen by jumping out!

Whale shark in Dubai Atlantis hotel is freed

The five-star hotel has faced a wave of criticism since it plucked the creature from the sea on August 28, 2008, with thousands joining facebook groups to free it and numerous environmental groups also lobbying for its freedom along with actress Pamela Anderson.

Sammy in his tank at Atlantis, Francois Nel/Gulf News

After being confined to the tank in the hotel’s aquarium for almost 17 months a statement released by the Atlantis today said the female whale shark has been returned to the Arabian Gulf.

Underwaterworld Sentosa 'improves' dolphin show

Just announced: "The existing Dolphin Lagoon, once situated across the road, has now been incorporated into the Underwater World Singapore's premises, making it a lot more convenient than before. To be officially launched sometime later this quarter, the area even boasts a Dolphin Suite, where you can watch the performances in air-conditioned comfort."

Included in the article is a video clip with shots of performing dolphins and seals.

Will there be dolphins at Resorts World Sentosa? Part 2

Eighteen wild dolphins in the Philippines have yet to be sent to Resorts Worlds Sentosa, reports Today.

Dolphins still depicted on the Resorts World Sentosa website.

The delay is because "the facilities to house them in Singapore are not finished". The Resorts World Sentosa spokesman Robin Goh said "construction of the Marine Life Park is on schedule and is slated for an opening after 2010".

Will there be dolphins at Resorts World Sentosa?

I was reminded about Resorts World Sentosa's plans for captive dolphins when I read this article today about how a captive dolphin gave birth while performing in a Vietnam aquarium.
The tail of a baby dolphin can be seen coming out of its 17-year-old mother Hindri in an aquarium at Suoi Tien on January 23 (Photo: SGGP)

The trainer said the pregnant dolphin was "showing signs of fatigue and didn’t want to perform in the morning". But it appears she was forced to perform anyway.

It would be sad if such cruelties took place in Singapore!

More dolphins heading to Singapore via Langkawi?

WChinner of Langkawi just posted on her Nature is Awesome blog about cages being set up at Awana Porto Malai, a resort there.

Photo of cages at the resort, from Nature is Awesome by WChinner.

WChinner asked around at the resort and was given to understand that the cages are "for dolphins apparently coming from America. These dolphins will be caged in the waters off Awana Porto Malai as their acclimatisation program." After which, "they will be transferred to Singapore".

Does a captive whale shark bring bad luck to a city?

"Has anyone noticed the correlation between Dubai’s troubles and the capture of the whale shark by Atlantis?" asks a reader in a letter to a UAE daily.

Sammy in his tank at Atlantis, Francois Nel/Gulf News

Will there be a whale shark at Resorts World Sentosa?

A recent article reports that "the authorities are still looking into whether Resorts World at Sentosa will be allowed to drop a controversial plan to exhibit" whale sharks.
In May 09 , Resorts World announced it was "scrapping its plan to exhibit whale sharks at its upcoming Marine Life Park" because "it believes it may not be able to care for the animals". But as of today, its website still features a photo of the whale shark for its Marine Life Park.

Re-export of dolphins to Singapore not legal?

"The Philippines-owned CITES science team has just sent a letter to the government of Philippines that the import of the dolphins from Solomons earlier this year is NOT legal under Philippine law. There are now grounds to halt the re-export to Singapore as the legality is questioned."

No whale sharks at Sentosa IR!

Resorts World at Sentosa is scrapping its plan to exhibit whale sharks at its upcoming Marine Life Park, reports Grace Chua in the Straits Times today.

Spokesman Krist Boo admitted the resort was hoping to back out of its original plan as it believes it may not be able to care for the animals. She told The Straits Times on Friday: 'We are discussing and exploring an alternative proposal to having whale sharks.'The poster for the petition against captive whale sharks at Resorts World Sentosa.

Krist Boo said that its action was not governed by 'fleeting public opinion', but 'conservation of this species'. Only the whale shark exhibit would be changed, she said, adding that the replacement would be conservation-focused.

According to the AFP, the move was not due to pressure by the seven animal welfare groups which have launched an online petition that has gathered more than 9,000 signatures. "The Marine Life Park team does not take its responsibilities to both conservation and Singapore lightly and as such, we spent the past two years doing much groundwork," it said in a statement to AFP. "We strongly believe that our action must be governed by the conservation of this species rather than what is dictated by fleeting public opinion."

It is not clear whether earlier plans to have 700,000 marine creatures, including tiger sharks, piranhas and dolphins, are still in place.

Last month, RWS presented to non-governmental organisations and individuals an alternative proposal which is still under discussion. According to AFP, alternative options to the whale shark exhibit being considered were shown to the various animal welfare groups last month, it said. "This proposal is still in the process of being refined for a further round of review," the Marine Life Park said.

Another potential flashpoint concerns dolphins caught in the wild, as these animals undergo 'considerable stress and suffering' in captivity, the SPCA's Ms Moss said.

Last December, the first batch of seven dolphins meant for RWS were shipped from the Solomon Islands to the Philippines, raising conservationists' ire.

Full articles on the wildsingapore news blog.

As of today, there has been no new posts about this issue on the Resorts World Sentosa Marine Life Park section or in its press release section.

Related links

• CITES to scrutinise Solomon Islands dolphin trade with links to more on the captive dolphin issue.
  
• Updates on whale sharks at Resorts World Sentosa
• Captive whale sharks and moral integrity of Resorts World Sentosa
• ACRES website
  
• Georgia Aquarium responds to Singapore petition against captive whale sharks.
  
• Resorts World Sentosa's response to petition against captive whale sharks
  
• Animal welfare groups oppose import of whale sharks at Sentosa IR
• The petition is at http://www.whalesharkpetition.com/
• I will boycott Resorts World Sentosa and its Marine Life Park Facebook group:
• More about the issues with lots of links