More dolphins held captive

| 23/07/2009

(CNS): Two more dolphins have arrived in the Cayman Islands and have been taken to the captive facility at Dolphin Discovery in North West Point Road. According to a release from the company the two Atlantic Bottlenose marine mammals arrived last Friday, bringing the total number of Dolphins held at the marine facility to eight. The Department of Environment confirmed that the two marine mammals, which have reportedly come from Tortola, had CITES certificates. However, the facility still does not have an operating license.

There are now 14 dolphins held in captivity in the Cayman Islands at two different facilities in West Bay, both of which have caused considerable controversy as a result of the declining acceptability world wide for what is seen by many as an exceptionally cruel form of entertainment.

Billy Adam, Cayman’s leading activist against what he calls the dolphin ‘abusement’ industry, said he was sickened by the arrival of yet more dolphins in Cayman and continues to be appalled by the government’s failure to uphold the law surrounding the facilities. “The attorney general, the police, the Department of Agriculture and now the new government are all allowing a blatant disregard of the law, as this facility as well as Dolphin Cove are carrying on their abusive entertainment business without operating licences as required under the law,” he said.

He also noted that the standards by which the two facilities are supposed to be operating are still a secret. Adam explained that the two facilities say they adhere to the standards set by the US Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks, a private association which will not publicize what those standards are.

“This business is an appalling, corrupt, deceptive and cruel trade and we are allowing these people to operate in contravention of our laws and we are not even able to see what standards it is that they are supposed to abide by,” Adam added.

Although the latest two dolphins have arrived from Tortola from the firm’s facility there with CITES certificates, Adam lamented the fact that the Cayman government is not conducting audits regarding the real origin of the creatures, tracking exactly where they came from and how they were actually captured.

“We are dependant on what other nations say is the case when it comes to the CITES certificate. There is no audit done to see if the governments from where these dolphins come from have been honest about their origins. As a result there can be no guarantee that these creatures do meet CITES standards. No one in our government wants to ask difficult questions so they can continue with this plausible deniability.”

Adam stated that the entire industry is dependent on corrupt practices but it seems that the government denies the brutality and those making the money do not care about it. “This cruel industry could not operate without corruption, and anyone who saw the showing of the ‘Cove’ recently can testify to that,” he said.  “We cannot know that these animals did not leave young dolphins who are still dependent on their mothers, even after that have stopped feeding, to learn things like migration routes and feeding grounds. Left without their mothers the baby dolphins will starve to death.”

The DoA has confirm that staff from the department were there to check the dolphins on arrival and that the paperwork was in order. DoA vet Dr. Gikonyo checked the  well-being of the dolphins  and said they were  exhibiting normal behavior including eating. The DoA however is responsible for the Operating Licenses for the facilities and it has not yet drawn up the regulations that will ultimately provide the legal framework should they ever be granted in accordance with the law.

The Water Authority confirmed that they had been contacted about the new dolphins and that both facilities currently have permits. The Cayman Turtle Farm (CTF) received its permit in October 2008 and a variation was made in February 2009 to include the flows from Dolphin Discovery. The Water Authority said that the CTF is in compliance with the terms of their permit, which expires in September 2009. Dolphin Cove also has a permit and is also in compliance, the Authority confirmed, noting that permit expires in August 2009.

There have, however, been some concerns raised in the West Bay community about an excessive build up of algae in the dolphin pool water at Dolphin Discovery, which is released back into the ocean. This was a problem that a number of people against the facilities had warned about as a result of its potential detrimental impact on the surrounding reefs. The facility admits that over 12 million gallons of water are pumped daily, equating to some 4 and a half transfers of the lagoon every day.

Despite the operating licensing issues and the controversy, General Manager Carlos Moreno said that business is booming at the facility, and that is why they have brought in two more dolphins. “It just made good business sense to bring two more dolphins from our wonderful facility in Tortola,” he said. Morena added that, as well as stay over and cruise ship guests, people from the Cayman community were visiting the facility, including residents with special needs and school children through its “Dolphins and Me” programme.

Mareno also noted that a number of young Caymanians were working at Dolphin Discovery on the summer intern programme.  “We are pleased to be able to offer the opportunity to further their education by learning the various aspects of our state-of-the-art research facility and about this important element of our tourism product,” he said.

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  1. Anonymous says:

    Perhaps this might shed a little more light on the attitudes of those involved in providing these ‘pets’?

    I hope that those people who have enough money to waste on this foolish pursuit continue to lose their shirts.

    http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1211311/Massacre-dolphins-How-dolphins-massacred-satisfy-food-fetish-poisoning-Japanese-eat-them.html

  2. the Ya Man says:

    "Cayman is the only place in the world that has a TURTLE FARM! Why the hell are they trying to make the dolphins the main event to come see??"

    The Turtle Fiasco is no tourist attraction.  People leave wishing they have never gone.  There is not much point promoting something no one wants and which will fail soon anyway. 

  3. FeedThePeopleTheDogsTheCats says:

    To Shame on you (not verified) on Fri, 07/24/2009 – 16:07

    1. No personal issue (against or involvement with DDC).

    2. ‘Disrespectful’ – Ahh, OK.  Remember respect is to be earned never given and is not automatic.

    3. I was not running my mouth.  I was typing on my keyboard.  When I do run my mouth (which is quite often) I know what I’m talking about.  I can go head to head with you or Billy Adam any day.  If I’m wrong then I take it with gratitude for the correction when necessary.

    4. I was not attacking Billy in a personal way, just his view points and the views of the CNS article.  I also would defend their right to speak out against/for what they believe.  My mind works like that. You should try it.

    5. Its great Billy donates his time/money to worthy causes.  I was also referring to others to do the same. Deal with the larger issues and then go after DDC or any other for what you believe in.  I believe you have that right but remember too so do I.

    6. You wrote: "By the way, unsold magazines are not just dumped in Cayman; some are sent back".

    I say to that, Poppycock!  Just kidding 😉 – But the ones that are sent back are mostly likely paid to be shipped back by the publisher or there is some sort of compensation to Hobbies & Books to do so.  If not, then why only some and not all?  I stand corrected on that thought however.

    I could go on but it’s time to go back to the man in the mirror.  My… who is the fairest of them all…?

    Make that change! – MJJ

  4. Twyla M Vargas says:

    I LOVE THE DOLPHINS

    But the show is poor.  I believe if you are going to do something to make money.  Go all out, give the best.  If it takes bringing in persons from overseas to perform good shows with the dolphins, then do it.  While of course caymanians youth are learning.  Give us moneys worth of  shows not just some small trick for a buck.   Entertainment, yes Cayman needs it.   Carnival rides and everything else.  Tours are bored, visitors are bored, residents are bored.  Lease out or sell these projects to outside investors.  Give us a mini disney land in the centre of Town, and see how the cruise passengers enjoy it.  Bless.

  5. Shame on you says:

    To "FeedThePeopleTheDogsTheCats",

    To "Ted Turner", and

    To Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 07/23/2009 – 14:33.

    …So disrespectful – you’re making this a personal issue rather than looking at the environmental and humane aspects of the issue.  Perhaps you have personal interests?  ….or just like to run your mouth downgrading people.

    Mr. Billy Adam does care about more than the dolphins.  If you don’t know that by now, then you don’t know much about him and you are irresponsibly casting personal judgements and attacks.  He has been very active in other areas in our community and society.  Also through the family’s business and personally, he’s donated much to various charitable and youth organisations in Cayman.  Maybe it’s not well advertised, but to be honest, one doesn’t give to get acknowledgment so as I said, if you don’t know him, you’d never know whathe does for our fellow Caymanians. He’s not going to place an ad in the paper to tell everyone — maybe you would. (?)   By the way, unsold magazines are not just dumped in Cayman; some are sent back.   And it wasn’t his beach or any millionaires friends of his that paid for bringing down a dolphin expert.  YOU talk about OTHERS not speaking facts and telling the truth – looks like YOU’RE the ones who needs to look at the ‘man in the mirror’ -MJ.

  6. Andy Buck says:

    As a frequent visitor to Cayman, I’m sad about the whole thing. Cayman wasalways a quiet, peaceful and loving place. There isn’t a day that someone in my household doesn’t mention this wonderful country or talk about friends they’ve made here. Some of our best and favorite family memories involve the Cayman Islands. That is real. That is true. It is sad to me that the country is changing. Crime in the streets. Real crime. Drugs. Murder. Guns. Disneyland in West Bay? A dolphin circus? Beautiful, vibrant, live reefs on one side and a fish tank on the other? I can go to Orlando for all of that. And save some major money too. Get rid of the dolphins, close the amusement park (which is losing money everyday!) and bring safety back to the streets. Back to basics. Back to Cayman.

  7. Anonymous says:

    By keeping Dolphins captive their life with be shortened. They do not thrive by living in a concrete tank they are not ‘designed’ to live like that. They are not ‘playing’ and ‘having fun’ they are performing tricks for food. It is cruel and Cayman has taken a large backward step by allowing these Dolphin displays. Much of the rest of the world is getting rid of these ‘attractions’  but not Cayman.

    http://www.dolphinproject.org/

     

  8. DJones says:

    Will the decreasing tourist dollar/euro be there to support more dolphins?

  9. I rode the Dolphin says:

    They go well with a balsamic vinaigrette, provided they are not over-cooked.

  10. Marek says:

    This editorial is far to slanted to be taken seriously. Rule one in journalism, stay neutral. Like every ‘story’ there are two sides, if you want credibility present both sides and let your readers form their own opinions. Here by way of example are the extracts from your article.

    I suggest you go to these facilities. Meet with the management, ask hard questions, view the operations, speak with the staff and customers and then… write an objective article about your findings.

    Taken tothe captive facility

    Dolphins held at the marine facility.

    There are now 14 dolphins held in captivity

    Caused considerable controversy as a result of the declining acceptability

    Exceptionally cruel form of entertainment.

    Sickened by the arrival of yet more dolphins in Cayman

    Appalled by the government’s failure to uphold the law

    Blatant disregard of the law

    Carrying on their abusive entertainment

    This business is an appalling, corrupt, deceptive and cruel trade

    Entire industry is dependent on corrupt

    This cruel industry could not operate without corruption

    Left without their mothers the baby dolphins will starve to death.

    CNS: I’m sure that there is also another side to the argument over animal acts in circuses, or the cramped conditions in zoos. However, it is a fact that public opinion over what amounts to cruelty does change.

     

    • Marek says:

      CNS: Your follow up comment, doesn’t address what I wrote it simply enforces my comment.  Read the comments to this ‘story’ … notice I didn’t say editorial. A good number of readers have taken exception to your stance in posting the article and in fact a good portion disagree with your position.

      My only point was and remains… editorially you should remain ‘open minded’.

      CNS: First of all, most of the phrases you picked out were from statements made by Billy Adam, who is, as everyone knows, very against the captive dolphin programmes (a universally accepted phrase). Secondly, we provide this platform so that you and everyone else can state your views on the matter. As you may have noticed, we believe in free speech.

      However, all news organisations take editorial stands on some matters, and having weighed the evidence, we believe both the programme and the capture of wild dolphins to supply such programmes are manifestly cruel, as are the other examples I gave – cramped zoos and animal acts in circuses.

       

       

       

  11. Anonymous says:

    (sigh) Here we go with the dolphin story again. Get over it people. The dolphins are here so enough already!

  12. Its a Hackers Paradise! says:

    CNS and everyone else likes to make special mention of these dolphins but the same criticism is never handed to the Turtle Farm who keep nearly 500 adult breeding turtles inside a swimming pool so small they are forced to swim over eachother and cut eachother with their flippers. I’ve seen those dolphins and while it may not be an ideal situation it is far better than the government run turtle soup farm. Tourists come in there having seen world class aquatic facilities in their own cities and are underwhelemed. But seriously, those turtles have pretty misirable lives in that green muck and they also are costing Cayman millions of dollars a year. And they hardly ever release those things into the wild. And did you know……..the turtle farm has an enormous aligator (or crocidile..sorry not sure) sititng in one of the tanks in the back???? They wanted to give it its own exhibit but instead feed it pizza and whatever else they can as it sits in a concrete tank all by its lonesome. Dolphins get to play all day and eat fish. Every animal at the turtle farm is suffering way more than the dolphin parks.

    Just my two cents

    • Anonymous says:

      Anyone ever heard of multi-tasking?? They obviously have experts paying more attention to the Dolphins than the turtles! Why is that? Focusing on one more than the other will surely bring disaster!

  13. Anonymous says:

    Yet again Mr. Adams has accused these Dolphin Parks of operating illegaly… and refers to the so called necessary "operating licences as required under the law"…

    However, Mr. Adams is yet to clearly state what law sets down the requirement that these businesses require an operating license?!?!

    I am yet to see a copy of the Dolphinarium Law (2009 revision)… or for that matter even a Dolphinarium Bill! So anything beyond an importing license, a water authority permit, and a trade and business license (all of which I’m sure these parks do indeed have) is there an actual requirement for these parks to have an operating licence?!?! Because if there is then clearly only Mr. Adams knows about it! The Dolphinariums don’t know about it, the Attorney General doesn’t know about it,the Police don’t know about and the Department of Agriculture sure as heck don’t know about it… because if they did… surely something would be being done!!! 

    Let me put it another way… If there was a requirement then these parks would have an operating license… Why?! Because with only 2 parks on Island there could hardly be a backlog of applications!!

    Mr. Adams is clearly weilding the heavy axe of "the Law" but no-one is listening because as usual he doesn’t know what he’s talking about… until Mr. Adams can point the people of the Cayman Islands to this little known peice of legislation we should continue to do what we’ve always done… ignore him!

  14. Bit of common sense says:

    Ted Turner

    Somebody must be playing a joke on you because I cannot believe that any one would write such nonsense. Let’s get this straight, you are saying that the animals are better off in a tiny swimming pool because they do not then have to deal with the realities of the wild. So extending that argument should we not try to save all the worlds animals from the big scary wilds, perhaps we should lock up all those poor lions out on the Serengeti in a nice padded cell where they can’t be hurt by ungrateful wildebeests or rescue the Gorillas from those forested mountains in Africa where it gets all dark and scary at night. Animals have been ‘dying in the wild’ for around 580 million years!

    Better yet, why not lock up all those poor kids running around in their school holidays. Surely it is better that they are ‘protected’ in a nice comfy prison cell then to be faced with the horrors of freedom and space?  

    Give me a break, there is only one sole purpose of a dolphinarium and that is profit (or loss in the Cayman’s).

     

     

  15. Anonymous says:

    Yet another chance for a group of bleeding heart liberals to voice their irrational, baseless and uninformed opinions… These Dolphins have better lives than 2/3rd’s of the worlds population yet we are somehow supposed to listen to people who use words like "sentient"…

    A baby dolphin once washed up dying on Billy Adams beach and he got a collection of South Sound millionaries to chip in for the costs of flying down a dolphin expert from the US to try and save it’s life… I’d bet my last breath that if any dying Caymanian crawled up to Billy Adam’s front door begging for help… Billy and his dolphin loving cronies wouldn’t be so quick to reach for their chequebooks!!

    Humans are a little more advanced than so called "sentient" beings… we actually do feel pleasure and pain and can express those feeling with a little more than clicks and whistles!! I’d be more inclined to listen to the suffering of my fellow human beings than the so called suffering of captive Dolphins who are well fed, well cared for and well loved by their trainers!!

    And lastly, Mr. Adams… if you want the well educated, well informed people of these islands to listen to your rants, try and not use the world of entertainment as a basis for your diatribes… quoting a film like "the Cove" puts you firmly in the Michael Moore school of debating… and no-one uses his one sided rants as a basis when discussing gun control or health insurance… then again… at least Michael Moore is standing up for his fellow man!!!

  16. Ron Moser says:

    There are incredible amounts of animal cruelty present in the world today. With dolphins, orca’s, beluga whales etc, for instance, it is not so much about direct captive cruelty as it is in the best interest of the operator to maintain the highest possible standards to keep these animals alive and well wether that be a dolphinarium, aquarium or zoo. The main problem is how the animals got there in the first place. The real cruelty is in the initial capture. It seems that in cases the dolphins were born in captivity but by far not enough to maintain the population required to sustain all of the facilities wordwide, sadly enough. After about 6 months in captivity, previously wild dolphins have lost their ability to fend for themselves and would very likely die up front our noses if they were to be released back in to the ocean so they would indeed be better off where they are in captivity with however a drastically reduced lifespan.

    What becomes more important is what their presence does to the evironment. Their excessive waste will seriously effect the waters where and how that waste water is being disposed off. Corals and other marine wildlife will likely die as a result of that in the long term as it is very concentrated waste.

    In the big picture, I find it more and more disgusting however as to what we the people seem need to satisfy our out of control desire to be entertained by animals of many kinds having very little or no regard whatsoever what it does or has done to the animal itself. I strongly believe that any wild animal is still better off in the wild with all it’s dangers that come with that kind of environment, they have a right to be and stay wild and remember, wild to us people, is very normal for the animals. It’s high time we the people start to understand that there is such a thing as a biological wildlife balance, it needs no help from us other than to leave them alone.

    On a final note, I do believe that people must stop pointing fingers at each other as that will only lead to more aggression among us. Regardless of what is being presented, once approved by local and applicable international laws, we should live with it. People must come together as friends to tackle all of the various problems at hand for the benefit of all parties concerned.

  17. noname says:

    Get over it people! I am sick and tired of this foolish arguement now!

    The dolphins are treated no different than the cats and dogs unna hold "CAPTIVE" in your homes! You don’t hear many caymanians making up no big fuss about these Dolphins. No disrespect and not to sound prejudice on ANY LEVEL, but its mostly the folks coming from Canada and America who like to cause a big riot about these Dolphins. You dont see many Caymanians going round with these minature dogs that Americans love to "CAPTURE" and keep in their homes as "PETS". They dress um up in hot "Pet Clothes" ( hello dats wa the fur is for, to keep um warm), dye up the poodles hair pink and every otha colour unda the sun, put bows and clips up in their head, paint dem very nails for God sakes!!

    HELLO those "Pets" dont need all dem tings and further more im sure dey dont like it eitha! I would definitely define dat as an "exceptionally cruel form of entertainment".  So hush unna mouths now and stop running up unnas blood pressure and mine over this.

    And please remember this prayer

    "God grant me the Serenity to ACCEPT the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can and WISDOM to know the difference".

    God Bless I Love you as always Cayman.

  18. shanna says:

    CNS, I expected a little better from your organization. Why would you have such a distraughtful title for your news header (More Dolphins Held Captive)? You are showing your disgust with the captivity to some extent, when delivering the news you should never show your side or opinion on an issue as it influences your readers.

    Moving on, I personally think that the organization against dolphin captivity is rubbish, what about all the people who have dogs, cats, parrots or gold fish? All animals are wild and should be free, but when an animal is born into captivity they know no better, especially if they are treated good, which I am sure is the case with the dolphins at both facilities because I visit each atleast 3 times a week and never once have I seen them try to escape or kill themselves because they are ‘so’ unhapppy. 

    I think Cayman has bigger issues to deal with and instead of wasted energy on something that is bringing money into our economy in such desperate times, maybe those who are petitioning against the ‘captivity’ of dolphins should instead help the Government find other ways to make money instead of exploiting the precious dolphins of the world.

    May I suggest that everyone against it, subsidize the Government for any loses it endures by freeing all the dolphins and maybe all the turtles, fish and sharks at the Turtle Farm.

    I can safely assume that all of you against the dolphin captivity are either employed and not employed by the two facilities? Let’s help solve the problems in Cayman not make them bigger issues.

  19. Anonymous says:

    I get a feeling that a lot of people are just jumping on the band wagon in regards to the dolphins as it is a much more populare topic, rather than the cruelty in relation to some of the other animals on the island. Based on my experience, a number of people who I have spoken to who are sooo opposed to the dolphins here in Cayman, are the first ones to run off to Seaworld or any Zoo on their anual vacation to Florida! Stop being hypocritical! Have you gone to Boatswains Beach and seen the horrible conditions for the Turtles there? Have you seen horses and cows being tied up, with rope burns on their necks, no shade available, and no water to drink for days?

    The other comments that get me are the ones referencing how intelligent dolphins are. Does this mean that "non-intelligent" animals can be treated like crap?Did you know that Parrots and Pigs are ranked amongst the top 15 most intelligent animals?

    Don’t get me wrong, I wished all animals could live in free nature or be held under the best of conditions, but I am aware that this is unfortunately not the reality, so I can’t be a hypocrat and pretend that I am all out of shape over dolphins when I am happily eating a good steak, well knowing that the cow it came from was most likely suffering her entire life and butchered under horrible conditions.

  20. Anonymous says:

    If there was locally a mass stranding of dolphins, or even oneinjured one, who would be contacted for help? It would more than likely be the people who know and care about dolphins; the dolphin facilities, their veterinarians and St. Matthews and the DoE.  

    I think the animal rights groups have done a great service in changing the way that animals are cared for in facilities but they shoot themselves in the foot time and again by being emotional, anthropomorphizing and using disinformation tactics to muddy the waters. In a letter to the editor in a local paper last year was a story about a chimpanzee in captivity learning sign language and the first thing he said was "let me out" and he said it over and over again. Well, I decided to investigate the source of that so researched it online and discovered that in fact was the case but the environment in which it occurred wasn’t mentioned, which changed the whole viewpoint. This chimp was housed in a researchers garage that had been modified for use as his home and everyday he was let out into the garden. So once he learned to sign, when he said "let me out" he meant, "let me out into the garden". What a difference it makes when you get all the facts but it didn’t support that person’s viewpoint so was ommitted.

    I think that we also forget that we too are animals and sentient beings. Would I be better off living in the wild, running across the prairies, spear in hand, trying to kill something to keep my family alive? Or do I prefer living in my little box with my fridge full of food, going to work and performing "tricks" to get the paycheque so I can be secure in my surroundings with my health and needs taken care of ? Hmm. And do I really even have a choice in the matter?

    I know that the people who work with animals in captivity really appreciate the awareness that the animal rights advocates have brought to facilities that were using inhumane treatment but then unfortunately they go way overboard and have become mixed up with people who, for lack of a better phrase, are "way out there". You know, the ones who can comunicate with animals telepathically. Why don’t they ever do that with worms or ugly bugs?

    I know that animal trainers and animal rights groups both care vehemently about animals and I would hope through sound scientific research, that the chasm that separates them can be overcome, for the ultimate benefit of the animals.

  21. Ted Turner says:

    Nice try Sheryl, but your ruse as a "first-time visitor to your beautiful islands" is as deceiptful as your description of dolphins.  Your predictable anti-captivity rhetoric is irrational and none of your silly claims are supported by fact.  Most of what we have learned about dolphin "intelligence", reproduction, learning abilities, or even your anthropomorphic claim that they are "sentient",  has come from the very facilities you demonize.  Who do you think cares for wild and suffering dolphin calves when they wash up on shore?  We do.  What’s more, people who visit these facilities contribute directly to recognized conservation efforts as describe in the U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act and other international legislation.  Without marine life facilities rescuing and saving animals, caring for dolphins, educating the public, conducting critical research, AND giving people an intimate glimpse into the lives of these wonderful creatures, we’d still be canning and eating them along with tuna.     

     

     

  22. AnExPat says:

     

    DISGUSTING – CAYMAN? YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED. For a country who supposedly supports the preservation of the natural balance of nature, capturing dolphins and keeping them confined is just a cruel and useless waste.

    Pretending to be able to learn something about a dolphin by keeping it in captivity is like saying the best way to study the human race is to study a prisoner in solitary confinement.

    Lets hope these clowns never get a permit.

    I AM PROUD TO SAY I AM AGAINST ANY ANIMAL SUFFERING FOR OUR ENTERTAINMENT.

    Google "The Cove" and try and watch the film when you can.

    Then you will understand the issues and the depth of feeling against this activity.

  23. Sheryl Myers says:

    Hello –

    I am a first-time visitor to your beautiful islands.  A member of our group had her heart set on "swimming with the dolphins" and was completely unaware that the dolphins are enduring a kind of slavery.  Perhaps the dolphins are well-treated, and perhaps they actually enjoy some aspects of their captivity.  But they are supremely intelligent, sentient beings and unless they have the choice to stay or leave, they are being "pimped" by humans.  The point I am making is we need to do a better job of helping otherwise well-intentioned visitors see that a few brief moments of pleasure in a personal encounter come at great expense to the dolphins.

    • Anonymous says:

      Cayman is the only place in the world that has a TURTLE FARM! Why the hell are they trying to make the dolphins the main event to come see?? I think they should be paying much more attention to our turtles, hence why we call it the Turtle Farm. Release the dolphins and come up with better ideas. It only takes common sense to run this island?? Now if that’s not GREEN or is it GREED! ! 

      • Anonymous says:

        Ignorance is bliss I guess…

        A quick google search shows four additional turtle Farms:

        Concordia Turtle Farm LLC – Louisiana

        Louisiana Cypress Turtle Farm, LLC – Louisiana

        Xcaret – Mexico

        Isla Mujeres Turtle Farm – Mexico

        Why dont we worry about the drug problem on the Island or the shootings in West End instead of a company that diversifies our product mix to both the Ships and Stay Overs?  Come on, lets get real Cayman…

        • Anonymous says:

          Ignorance is bliss I guess… – Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 07/23/2009 – 17:44.

          Yes, but how many of them raise GREEN TURTLES?.. Do your little google thing again and see what the results are.

          Look on the bright side, you were right about other Turtle Farms being around the world, and ignorance being bliss. 

          • Anonymous says:

            Funny enough, three of the four raise green turtles… Thank you for your help and God Bless.

            • Anonymous says:
               
  24. Ted Turner says:

    Mr. Adams is just another blow-hard radical anti-captivity extremist who continues to perpetuate disinformation in his attempt to manufacture media controversy about legal and permitted facilities the promote conservation.  Contrary to his rediculous diatribe,  numerous international laws and treaties support and promote captive programs such as CITES and the IUCN.   These quality facilities should be applauded for their conservation endeavors instead of held in contempt by the likes of the irrational anti-captivity radicals who know nothing about dolphins and have no hands-on experience with them.   Facilities like Dolphin Discovery provide excellent care for animals, are staffed by caring experts who love animals and have done much to promote the conservation and protections of our oceans.  WIth hundreds of thousands of dolphins dying in the wild each year, the public has an opportunity to learn about dolphins in marine parks and aquariums, and dolphins have a chance to live without the fear of predation, starvation, drowing in tuna nets, massive die-offs, increasing ocean noise, and other environmental disasters.  Without these facilities, many more dolphins would die in the wild due to an apathetic public.  So stop the nonsense Mr. Adams and start doing some real work to help wild dolphins instead of angling for media attention.   

     
  25. shouldn't throw stones says:

    Poor Dolphins?  Maybe, but they are sure as hell treated better than cats and Dogs on this island, maybe we should be looking closer to home before commenting on others.

     

    Those in glass houses……..

    • Anonymous says:

      Poor Dolphins?  Maybe, but they are sure as hell treated better than cats and Dogs on this island, maybe we should be looking closer to home before commenting on others.

      You are correct about how some people treat their cats and dogs on this Island! NO we do not have them sleep in our bed-they live outside. NO we do not let them eat at the table with us and certainly not out of the same dishes! NO we do not take them for regular exercise but leave them running around the yard. NO we do not take them to regular vet check ups but only if they get sick! Most of us ask neighbours to look after them when we are away on trips! we do not take them for drives in our cars, or to church or to bars or to the beach.

      We much rather spend our time and money on humans than get involved with a trade where animals are bred to peoples specifications and treated better than humans! Check your budgets and see how much you spend on your "pet" then think how much that would benefit some poor starving human.

      • All creatures great & small says:

        I always assumed that Christian values personify the love and respect of all of gods creations . It seems ironic that animal cruelty could be so prevalent in a Christian society such as Cayman. 

        You speak of cultural differences towards what you consider pet care on the island and  what is practiced elsewhere.  Whilst i acknowledge your comments i cannot agree with your rational.

        I am a dog owner and my animal neither sits at the table, nor eats out of my bowl. My dog gets regular exercise as i take the time each day to walk him ( part of my responsibilities when i agreed to be a pet owner). 

        The responsibilities that come with pet ownership are many and include regular  visits to the vet to maintain immunization status as well as monthly administration of heartworm medications. It is not a responsible owner that states they only take their pets to the vet when they inevitably get sick from lack of  such proactive care.

        Pet ownwership involves time and money . You cannot attribute the obvious neglect of animal welfare on the island  to cultural differences. Your account of what you deem acceptable animal care on the island is contributory to negligent perceptions of animal care in Cayman.

         

  26. Caymanians against nonsense says:

     At least the dolphins are in a nice facility…unlike thefish, cows and other lovely animals that we chop up, cook and eat their flesh each day….and let’s not hear nonsense about "domesticated"….

    I must admit, I do love chomping down on a freshly slaughtered, wild salmon any day.

  27. Anonymous says:

    I thought the dolphin farms were losing money, why would they get more dolphins?

  28. FeedThePeopleTheDogsTheCats says:

    I bet Mr. Adam won’t be active and disgusted about the poorest of people living in Cayman. Let’s start there first and then we can protest about the dolphins. If Billy was so disgusted about the dolphins being imported and the enviromental impact etc, maybe he should start recycling the thousands of magazines that don’t sell at locations around the island that his company imports every year. I would love to see the dolphins free but would be more worried about where the ones here may have ended up, in a less caring facility where the trainers don’t give a rat’s ass about what happens to them. At least here, being a small location we can all be the eyes and ears and protest if any of the facilities start mistreating them. I want to see and here all you ‘so concerned’ people to start contributing to animal welfare. Go to the Humane Society and donate what you can, even your time. Help someone less fortunate and those down on their luck. Do that even just once then you can protest about the dolphins. Until then shut up or put up. That goes for you too Billy.

    “I see the kids in the street, with not enough to eat. Who am I, to be blind? Pretending not to see their needs. If you wanna make the world a better place take a look at yourself, and then make a change!”
    – MJJ

  29. FreeTheDolphins says:

    I second that

  30. Anonymous says:

    Poor dolphins.  Greedy people.