Positive Change for Dolphins 2017
An Animal Rights Article from All-Creatures.org
FROM
Ric O'Barry,
Dolphin Project
December 2017
We’ve gained tremendous momentum worldwide as
people across the globe are realizing that dolphins do not belong in
captivity, nor should they be hunted, abused or slaughtered.
Ric O'Barry
It’s hard to believe 2017 is coming to a close, yet I have never felt
more positive about the progress we’ve made for dolphins as I do now. We’ve
gained tremendous momentum worldwide as people across the globe are
realizing that dolphins do not belong in captivity, nor should they be
hunted, abused or slaughtered. The three most difficult places on Earth to
work on behalf of dolphins are Japan, Indonesia and the Solomon Islands – in
fact, we are the only organization on the ground in those places and will
remain there as long as dolphins are in need.
Wild and free dolphins
Indonesia’s horrific traveling dolphin circuses. Credit:
DolphinProject.com
Successes from this year include:
- Dolphin Project has long advocated dolphin sanctuaries to retire
captive dolphins, and we are continuing to move forward with plans for
Europe’s first dolphin sanctuary project. This year I had the
opportunity to scout various locations in Italy and Greece as we
continue efforts to make this project a reality.
- Lincoln O’Barry and Dr. Sarah Meltzoff returned to Fanalei in
the Solomon Islands to continue our work in helping dolphin-hunting
communities transition away from their conventional hunts. Home to the
largest drive slaughter of dolphins in the world, annual kills have
dropped from a yearly average of 850 to 110 in 2016. We are currently
building a permanent field base in Fanalei, which will allow us to
continue working with the community to develop sustainable economic
alternatives to dolphin-hunting and strengthen marine protection in the
area.
- In Indonesia, we are continuing our efforts to end dolphin
abuse, including putting an end to the traveling dolphin circuses,
dolphin-swim programs and renovating Camp Lumba Lumba, the world’s first
permanent rehabilitation facility for captive dolphins. Dolphin Project
established an education center in Flores, where islanders and tourists
alike can learn about the importance of protecting marine life. It is
the first center of its kind in Flores, an area known for marine mammal
and sea turtle poaching.
- Dolphin Project returned to The Cove in Taiji, Japan, for its
15th season, where our team is on the ground for the entire six-month
hunting season. Using live-streaming technology and – new this year –
360-degree “immersive” video to document the dolphin drive hunts, we
remain committed to sharing this information with the world. The season
launched on Japan Dolphins Day, an international day of action and
awareness that we have coordinated since 2005. Earlier this year,
Dolphin Project Celebrity Ambassador and Game of Thrones star Maisie
Williams traveled to Taiji in support of our campaign.
Camp Lumba Lumba, the world’s first permanent rehabilitation facility for
rescued dolphins, Indonesia. Credit: DolphinProject.com
We’ve come a long way since 1970 when I made it my life’s mission to
protect dolphins worldwide from exploitation and slaughter.
Now, 47 years later, all of us at Dolphin Project are as committed as
ever to making real and positive change for dolphins, but we need you on our
team. We are entirely funded by you. Each time you donate to Dolphin
Project, know that you are aiding the longest-running anti-captivity dolphin
welfare organization in the world.
Thank you for your support and for being on the right side of history.
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