2009-01-15

Further Export Of Wild Caught Bottlenose Dolphins From The Solomon Islands

WDCS is very concerned about new reports of the further export of wild caught bottlenose dolphins from the Solomon Islands. 
 
This is the second export of wild caught dolphins from these waters in two months. In December, 7 dolphins were transported by plane to the Philippines.
 
Live exports of dolphins were banned in the Soloman Islands after an export to Mexico in 2003 (from which 12 dolphins eventually died) but the ban was overturned in 2007. Since then the Solomon Islands has exported 28 dolphins to Dubai in 2007 and two shipments to the Philippines. Unknown numbers of animals have been captured in the Solomon Islands to support these exports.
 
Removing dolphins from a wild population has serious consequences for both conservation and the welfare of individual animals. Capture is incredibly damaging to both the animals that are removed and also those left behind. Dolphins live in social groups, and when animals are taken from these groups, important relationships are disrupted. There is also the possibility that animals that hold important roles, such as breeding females, are being removed in large numbers.
 
These wide-ranging and intelligent mammals are not suited to captivity, and many suffer from the impacts of confinement. Life expectancy is shorter for animals in captivity and interaction with humans, such as the swimming-with-dolphin experiences offered at huge expense at many resorts internationally, put animals and people at risk of injury and infections.

Source: Solomon Star