"Dolphinarium plans create major protest"

[Rosy]

I am not sure where this negativity is coming from. We are all working hard to prevent the continued abuse of these dolphins. If people are zealous then that must be all to the good and positive for Tom and Misha. There does not appear to me to be any fame grabbers here but thousands of people united in wanting our dolphins returned to the sea and an end to this vile activity. Yes it is frustrating that it is a slow process(and one that is painful for Tom and Misha) Please lets not squabble amongst ourselves but remain as united as we did on the march. Lets get out t shirts on and feel proud of what we are part of.

[Rosy]

As I am guilty of not regularly letting this forum know what I am up  to in the support of Tom and Misha:-
Today I am improving my computer skills by sending off e mails as requested on discussion pages on Fb, comments to GMTV on their 100 things to do article,  contacted BBC tv, Radio Lancashire, e mailed Radio Times re The Cove, Oprah to ask her to interview the film makers of The Cove, the Ormskirk Advertiser and I have sold a story to Take a Break magazine so that the fee can, when they pay me, be sent to the fund, and contacting friends on my e mail list who are not on the forum or facebook to update them on what is happening. Just off to post video clips - Pelicans (1) and Tortoises (2) to You've been framed in the hopes that our Turkish wildlife can similarly contribute to the cause.

[lindylou42]

I think you are all doing well and I do what I can over in blighty but most of all you should all chill and take each day as it comes and not to get negative as this comes across agressive in some places.  Every campaign takes time to resolve and some never do but you carry on come what may so keep it up but be positive and work collectively this normally helps.

[Tkebap]

I found this poem by Christine A Armani on the internet
which I think just about sums it up

The beautiful dolphins the titans of the sea
The playful dolphins
... swimming carefree
The ocean is their rightful place
But with tanks they
are replaced
They are placed into captivity
Away from their nativity
By our
greed they are confined
Yet for centuries they've rescued mankind
And how
do we give thanks?
We confine them to small tanks
Around before man was
even born
From their habitats they are torn
They're even forced to do
tricks
So their hunger they can fix
We take them out of greed
And cause
them to not breed
We cause them so much pain For our personal game
How long
do they have to suffer?Or will things just get tougher?

[krieny]

Great poem! Keep focused everyone, Tom and Misha are still suffering and need our support!

[Dolphin Angels]

Negotiations

As you know from recent updates a lot of work has been going on to try to free Tom and Misha into a rehabilitation and release programme.

Many of you will know Donal MacIntyre, an investigative journalist, specialising in hard hitting investigations, undercover operations and television exposes.

http://macintyre.com/

Donal arrived last week with the Born Free team and he flew home yesterday after a few very intense days and nights of negotiations trying to reach a solution to the ongoing saga that is Tom and Misha's fate.

New coverage

Tuesday night a short news report will be broadcast on ITN London Tonight news programme 6pm and later on News Extra at 8pm and probably on the 10 o'clock ITN news.

On the same day (Tuesday) the Sun will lead the coverage by following up on their exclusive with a further report.

There may also be some coverage in Hello magazine although we do not know when.

Don't hold us to the days of coverage as you know that a news story can die a death in the event of a breaking or "more important" story

Piling on the pressure

The pressure is piling on now to bring an end to Tom and Misha's captivity and a number of things are in play but these can not be revealed yet.

There are teams of people working on the required protocols, permissions and agreements in Turkey and there are others on standby to provide the safe sanctuary for Tom and Misha in the event they need to be moved quickly.

Tom and Misha's health

The Born Free team also came with a specialist Marine Mammal Vet and a Diver to assist in a further health check of Tom and Misha as there is increasing concerns for their health.

This is an area we have been working on over the past couple of weeks as their health is of paramount concern to us. Test results take time but rest assured we are doing all we can to protect Misha and Tom even while they are in this small pool.

To give some credit to the Dolphin Park people they have welcomed our input and have asked advice on suitable medications and treatments for Misha and Tom.

Boycott and UK MPs

In the meantime the boycott and the work that you are all doing to stop people swimming in that pool with Misha and Tom must continue.

One of the most important things that those of you in the UK can do is to write to your MP and ask them to pass on your concerns to the appropriate Minister who can then bring pressure to bear on their Turkish Government counterparts.

It is the correct protocal to write to your MP and it is their responsibility to pass it on to the appropriate Cabinet Minister.

You can of course refer to the Early Day Motion EDM introduced by MP Bob Russell

http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=41360

Every action counts and right now Misha and Tom are counting on us.

[KasDolphin]

Thanks for the update Dolphin Angels.
There is a lot of positive stuff going on.

Keep pushing folks - we,ll get there in the end.

[Rosy]

Well done Dolphin Angels, you are all amazing. You can count on us to be foot soldiers in this war against the abusive treatment Tom and Misha are enduring. It is reassuring to hear that the park people are aware that the conditions they are in is not ideal and are seeking help. A giant step forward. Would be more impressive if they were not touting for tourists to get ill in the pool. Also good to hear follow on plans are in place if things suddenly begin to happen. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU

[heather07]

Thank you for the report DAs

So glad to hear that things are moving in the right direction.

We have not got them out yet but there is no way they will be brought back for another summer in that pool.  That will be a result.

[chocoholic]

What wonderful news to wake up to, thankyou.  Right all we need is the world to be peaceful for a day and hope that Jordan doesn't announce a pregnancy or something.  Roll on tomorrow.  This is just what we need a mainstream news channel.  Their plight will not and cannot be ignored for much longer.  Yippeeee!!