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Umah Lumba - Dolphin Rehabilitation, Release and Retirement Center

From Ric O'Barry's Dolphin Project
June 2023

The facility is designed to stabilize recently confiscated dolphins from captive facilities, or stranded or injured dolphins, return them back to health and to assess whether they are candidates for readaptation and release. 

Umah Lumba rehabilitation

The Umah Lumba Rehabilitation, Release and Retirement Center in Banyuwedang Bay, West Bali, Indonesia is the first and only permanent dolphin rehabilitation, release and retirement facility for formerly performing dolphins. In September 2019, BKSDA Bali Forestry Department and the Ministry of Forestry initiated the idea. Working with local partners Jakarta Animal Aid Network to supply the manpower and Dolphin Project to provide the financial support and supervision, the Umah Lumba Center was built. (“Umah Lumba” means “dolphin house” in Balinese.)

The facility is designed to stabilize recently confiscated dolphins from captive facilities, or stranded or injured dolphins, return them back to health and to assess whether they are candidates for readaptation and release.

For dolphins deemed releasable, they will be taken to Camp Lumba Lumba Readaptation and Release Center in Karimun Jawa, the world’s first permanent facility dedicated to the rehabilitation and release of dolphins. The mammals will then be prepared for return into their home range. The location was specifically chosen because the majority of dolphins were captured from the Karimunjawa National Park, and releasing them here would offer a good chance for the mammals to reunite with their family pods.

For dolphins deemed unreleasable, they can retire at the Umah Lumba Center in a safe and healing seapen, and live out the rest of their lives in peace and dignity.

Rescued dolphins will receive 24/7 round-the-clock care. We have a full-time staff veterinarian, security guards and caregivers. The center is a true rehabilitation, release and retirement facility, where our team is committed to making the dolphins’ lives as natural and independent as possible. In March 2020, Dolphin Project, in anticipation of the arrival of additional confiscated dolphins (due to the COVID-19 pandemic) tripled the size of our facility.

As the world’s first permanent dolphin rehabilitation, release and retirement facility in the world, the Umah Lumba Center must be a model of success. Ideally, it will act as a prototype for others to be built globally, as demand for captive dolphins wane.

Rambo and Rocky have now returned to open waters. Post-release, our work is intensive: from tracking and monitoring the dolphins by boat, preparation for future rescues, ongoing maintenance of the Umah Lumba Center, and community outreach efforts, campaign costs are significant.
Your symbolic adoption of Rambo or Rocky will help offset their post-release expenses. In addition, your support will help ensure that the Umah Lumba Center remains open for other dolphins for years to come.

Dolphin Rambo
Rambo at the Umah Lumba Center, Bali, Indonesia

It’s hard to envision the suffering endured by Rambo, violently captured from the ocean and forced to perform in Indonesia’s notorious traveling dolphin circus. If that wasn’t enough, this young dolphin was then confined inside a small swimming pool in the Melka Excelsior Hotel in North Bali, where, day after day, was forced to perform for paying tourists during loud theatrical shows. Since his rescue in 2019, Rambo rehabilitated at the Umah Lumba Center, transforming into a highly energetic individual that is full of life.

Our 24/7 expert team of veterinarians and caregivers evaluated Rambo for release back into the wild, and, on September 3, 2022 the gate at the Umah Lumba Center was opened. Johnny, Rocky and Rambo swam out towards the open ocean. From post-release tracking, to preparing for future rescues, there is still much work to be done. Adopt Rambo today to help support these efforts!

Dolphin Rocky
Rocky at the Umah Lumba Center, Bali, Indonesia 

Imagine being captured from the wild, then forced to perform in one of the world’s most abusive shows – the traveling dolphin circus. That’s what happened to Rocky. But it didn’t end there. After spending years as a circus performer, he was then sold to the Melka Excelsior Hotel in North Bali, where, for 10 years, he was confined to a small swimming pool, interacting with an endless stream of tourists. Since we rescued Rocky in 2019, here, in the crystal clear waters of the Umah Lumba Center, he gained weight and strength, and enjoyed the natural rhythms and sounds of the sea. Our 24/7 expert team of veterinarians and caregivers evaluated Rocky for release back into the wild, and, on September 3, 2022 the gate at the Umah Lumba Center was opened. Johnny, Rocky and Rambo swam out towards the open ocean. From post-release tracking, to preparing for future rescues, there is still much work to be done. Adopt Rocky today to help support these efforts!

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Please read the ENTIRE ARTICLE HERE.

 


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