Beware, an owner of a dolphinarium in Marmaris is desperately looking for local tour agents to sell tickets for him.
Asked where his dolphins came from he 'wasn't sure' when pressed they came from 'the Turkish government a few years ago'.
Where were they caught? MMMMMM another difficult question.
Did he know what was stated on their registration papers? MMMMMMMMMMM
not really.
So these 4 dolphins are those caught in violation of the Bern Convention, which Turkey signed agreeing NOT to catch Med dolphins because of their very low populations.
MMMMMMMMM possibly
Are you happy to have these endangered mammals, MMMMMMMM well it must be alright because the Turkish Government gave them to him.
His buisiness was for the benefit of sick children only!
Oh our good friend said, then your dolphins do not pull Joe Bloggs round or have to perform shows for their food. Only sick children can be put with them, is that right?
MMMMMMMMMMM not quite, you see, dolphinariums are expensive businesses to maintain and so the dolphins HAVE to entertain the tourists to pay for their keep.
Has he any proof that swimming with dolphins makes the blind see, or will make the lame walk etc OH YES was the reply.
Well can you quote any scientific evidence? MMMMMMMMMMM
What happens to dolphins who are unwell, get old or are uncooperative, what plans did the man have? MMMMMMMMMMMM
Have you rehabilitation plans in place MMMMMMMMM
But his pool WAS in the sea, so thats ok he said
Other dolphins come up to the fence so they must be happy.
My friend wondered if the free dolphins were wanting to get IN the prison, or perish the thought, were encouraging the trapped dolphins to get out!
He was wanting agents to sell tickets for sick children to attend this miracle recovery centre, but there is a nice commission for any other tickets sold to any tourist.
Because, lets not forget it is EXPENSIVE to keep this buisiness going.
And, as a buisiness, healthy profits have to made, wages paid etc etc even though it is at the expensive of the freedom of these wonderful mammals.
The man then quoted the old chestnust, well shall we let all the dogs off their leads, or stop horses pulling carts,Also who is in charge of the earth Men or Animals? Men have to have control over the animals he elaborated or it would be disasterous wouldnt it?
Yep... sure makes you think, doesnt it our good friend thought!
Did he realise that the public, locally, are well educated about this abhorrant trade, and would persuade any travel agent not to profit from it?
MMMMMM is that so?
Yes, our friend said, the best course of action for you would be to go back to Marmaris, think seriously about rehab, let the dolphins free and make your buisiness more suited to viewing the dolphins in their natural and FREE enviroment.
MMMMMM he said, is that the time....... I must go
One more thing, our good friend said, make the most of your time with your imprisoned dolphins, the world is watching, and the European council WILL eventually want them back in the sea and the public will DEMAND it.
SO, If anyone spots a swim with ticket locally, to this Marmaris dolphinarium, and can talk with the agents who are tempted.... well we all know what to do..... and...post here
