Ask Harderwijk Dolphinarium to Send their Dolphins on a Sabbatical
Harderwijk Dolphinarium
Are captive dolphins happier in natural, seaside sanctuaries versus manmade tanks? That’s the question that Dolphin Project wants answered.
Harderwijk Dolphinarium has been invited to participate in a social experiment, where some of their performing dolphins would be sent to a sanctuary for a period of two years. During this time, the dolphins would closely resemble their wild counterparts, in that they would be able to catch live fish, feel the rhythms of the sea and live in a natural, yet protected environment.
At the end of two years, the decision for the dolphins to remain in the sanctuary, versus be returned to Harderwijk would be made by the Dutch people.
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To:
Harderwijk Dolphinarium
From:
[Your Name]
I am writing you today to ask that you release some of your dolphins to a protected seaside sanctuary, for the purposes of determining whether captive dolphins are happier in tanks versus in natural enclosures. Dolphin Project will work with Harderwijk to ensure that the dolphins receive professional care during the two years they will be relocated to the sea pen.
While in the sanctuary, the dolphins will not perform, nor will they engage in any captive breeding. Instead, they will closely resemble their wild counterparts, in that they would be able to catch live fish, feel the rhythms of the sea and live in a natural, yet protected environment.
At the end of the two-year period, the Dutch people would be given the choice to determine whether the dolphins remain in the sanctuary, or whether they will return to Harderwijk Dolphinarium.
Thank you for your consideration.