Dolphin Tank Manati Park, Dominican Republic.
Details about Manati Park:
 Manati Park keeps five dolphins in tiny concrete tanks, where they have to perform several shows during the day and are allowed to be touched by almost 200 people by day - an expert says he has never seen dolphins as overworked as those at Manati Park.
Starting back in 1999 this dolphin tank was investigated by the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, who claimed that the living conditions of these dolphins are not acceptable. Worldwide protests to ask for a change of this cruel situation started. Since the beginning of this year international TV channels like ABC 20/20, European Channels, International Newspapers like the Time Magazine and New York Times published shocking reports and photos of the conditions these dolphins have to survive in that chlorinated tiny concrete tank. Several European TV Channels aired a video where a dolphin attacked a child in the pool because he was so distressed and overworked. The issue of May 21st of Time Magazine stated Manati Park as:".. one of the world's most controversial facilities.." "Worse, critics charge that several dolphins have died prematurely at Manati because of toxic waters." According to CITES documentation only five of the original imported and captured eight dolphins are still there now. But the owner even wants to add five additional dolphins to the tank next year.
 At a further investigation from the World Sociey for the Protection of Animals beginning 2001 the responsible consultant pointed out: "It seems that these dolphins work harder and longer than all the dolphins I have ever seen before and since 40 years I am involved in that. They are mistreated and overworked and they live in a very small and confined area." Besides the unacceptable living conditions of these dolphins and the stress they have to bear with often more than 200 people per day in the tank, who are allowed to touch them without any supervisor in the pool, it is very interesting to realise that at both invesigations of animal welfare groups attacks on tourists in the pool occured. Various attacks at the visit in 1999 being wittnessed as well as one attack at the visit in 2001 being videoproofed.
Several tour operators as well as several big hotel chains have already cancelled their contract with Manati Park. VISA, NESTLE and PEPSI, who were mentioned as sponsers on the park's leaflet, have withdrawn their logos from all advertisment material. Almost 3.000 protest signatures have been handed over but in spite of all this opposition the dolphin tank is still open.
If you agree that keeping these dolphins under that unacceptable conditions is cruel please add your voice at:
The Petition Site
Photos on this page are copyright Helene O'Barry
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