International Marine Mammal Project
In July, IMMP was alerted to a proposal for a dolphin swim program in Curaçao. IMMP's Mark Berman recommended that anti-captivity activist Ric O'Barry (the original trainer of Flipper, the famous TV dolphin) conduct a forum in Curaçao. We recently received the following report from Menno van der Velde, president of Reef Care Curaçao.
On September 6, we invited Ric O'Barry over for a three-day tour of radio and TV interviews. On Monday morning, he was driven straight from the airport to a studio for his first interview and that pattern didn't stop for the whole day.
On the second day, we hosted an invitation-only lecture about the "pros and cons of keeping dolphins in captivity" for government and tourism officials, and the general manager of the Curaçao Seaquarium.
A free lecture for Reef Care members and other interested people drew a full house that evening. Ric gave two perfect lectures. That day our lawyer informed Seaquarium that, if they didn't agree to refrain from importing/keeping dolphins in captivity, we would sue them.
On Wednesday, Ric had a one-hour confrontation on a prime-time talk show with the Commissioner of Tourism. Also on the panel were a veterinarian, a marine biologist and a lawyer. Ric gave an outstanding performance and at the end of the show the commissioner had to confess (very reluctantly) that, yes, importing and keeping dolphins was against the law. Bingo! Ric's last words on the show were: "Fine, it is clear that keeping dolphins in captivity is against the law. I can go home."
Next morning, Seaquarium's lawyer faxed us a letter that Seaquarium wouldn't import dolphins since this was against the law. We won!
On behalf of Reef Care, thank you all for your letters and support, it really made a difference.
One disturbing message: On the same show, the commissioner said that, since keeping dolphins in captivity is against the law, he is going to change the law! We'll keep you informed of any developments.
Dolphin Freedom Victory in Curaçao