Third and final letter to copy paste and send to
Mugla Culture and Tourism Directorate
alo.179@hotmail.com
Dear Arzu
I am writing to you to express my concern about the proposed Dolphinariam being built in Hisarönü.
Please pass on my concerns outlined below and based on the Turkish legislation related to Animal Protection and with reference to the statement recorded in the Hürriyet Newspaper by Ibrahim Dilek of the Kas Centre saying the pool would be built to European Standards to:
Dr. Ahmet Altiparmak
Mugla Vali
mugla@icisleri.gov.tr
Osman Kurt
Ministry of Agriculture Water and Animal Affairs
Ahmet Dalli
Mugla Province Agriculture and Rural Affairs
info@mugla-tarim.gov.tr
Firat Erkal
District Directorate of Agriculture
Mehmet Mehdi Eker in Ankara
Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs
mehdieker@tarim.gov.tr
Turkish Animal Protection Bill 2004
The staff at the Kaş Centre are telling customers the Dolphins will be moved to Hisarönü on the 2nd or 3rd of June.
This will be in direct contravention of the Turkish Animal Protection Bill 2004, specifically
PURPOSE
Article 1
to ensure that animals are afforded a comfortable life and receive good and proper treatment, to protect them in the best manner possible from the infliction of pain, suffering and torture, and to prevent all types of cruel treatment.
PRINCIPLES
Article 4 paragraphs a), c), f), h) and i)
a) All animals are born equal and have a right to life within the framework of the provisions of this Law.
c) The necessary measures must be taken in order to protect, supervise and care for animals and shield them from maltreatment.
f) It is a principle that wild animals will not be removed from their natural habitats, and animals which are living freely in nature will not be captured and deprived of their freedom.
h) It is a principle that animals will be cared for, fed, sheltered and transported under the conditions suited to their species.
i) Those that transport animals or have them transported must do so in a suitable environment and under suitable conditions according to their species and nature, and they must be fed and cared for during transportation.
CHAPTER ONE - Ownership, care and welfare of animals
Article 5
A person who participates in a general training program regarding the care of animals and who takes ownership of or looks after an animal is liable for sheltering the animal, meeting their ethological needs in accordance with their species and reproductive methods, taking care of their health and taking all necessary precautions with regard to the health and safety of people, animals and the environment.
CHAPTER TWO - Interventions in animals
Article 8
It is forbidden to give an animal hormones or drugs in a manner or dose that will change the nature of his species or ethology, unless it is for medical purposes, to drug an animal with various substances or to artificially alter the behavioural or physical characteristics specific to an animal species.
European Standards
Ibrahim Dilek the PA to Mr Kuznetsov said the pool would be built to European Standards. It does not. The European Standards are for the welfare and protection of the public as well as the Dolphins.
The pool does not meet any of the European Standards, specifically
- the pool is 912cm³ - the requirement for two Dolphins is 1200cm³
- there is no sound insulation in the pool and no specialist acoustic tests have been carried out to prove the vibration and noise levels from the all night underground disco and surrounding bars are safe for the Dolphins.
The European Standards state that the Dolphins must not be exposed to excessive noise
- the pool is built with concrete which according to Mr Kuznetsov's own Kaş Dolphinarium web site will badly affect the Dolphins sonar system
- chemicals and chlorinated water will be used and this can cause the Dolphins to become blind
- there is no shaded area and water temperature control which is vital for the welfare of the Dolphins
- there is no isolation pool which is clearly required by the European Standards
- the perimeter fence is inadequate to protect the dolphins from public interference and disturbance
In addition Mr Kuznetsov does not employ
- any qualified personnel or a Veterinary Surgeon who must be a qualified Marine Biologist.
-a qualified person to regulate the water purity, take samples of water and he is unclear where these will be sent for analysis.
The staff currently employed at Kaş who will work in Hisarönü do not have the professional qualifications for these jobs.
Public Safety
It is also clear from regular observation and monitoring that the pool is leaking water and is being topped up with tap water to maintain a level. This makes it impossible to manage, regulate and maintain the correct levels with regard to temperature and chemicals.
This poses a huge health and safety risk to the public. Water quality is vital to protect Dolphins and the public. There are many diseases that can be passed from humans to Dolphins and Dolphins to humans.
Professional monitoring, testing and control of water quality is required in order to protect the public (tourists) and dolphins.
Movement of the Dolphins
The stress caused to the Dolphins by transporting them to Hisarönü would almost certainly kill the Dolphins. The plan is to move them not just once but twice a year from Kaş to Hisarönü and back to Kaş in the winter.
There is no means to do this that would not contravene the Turkish Animal Protection Bill 2004.
Mr Kuznetsov does not have a good history of keeping Dolphins alive. He told us that 2 of his Dolphins in Kaş died from pneumonia and four in Alanya died from ingesting seeds from nearby trees the same trees that surround the roads around the pool in Hisarönü.
I am writing on behalf of the 9500 people world wide that are opposed to this Dolphinariam in Hisarönü and sincerely hope that we hear news soon that this will not go ahead.
Your sincerely
