Yesterday I joined a group of protestors outside the Town Council building in Bodrum. Our number was small but forty thousand people have signed a petition demanding the closure of Dolphin Parks in Turkey. Earlier in the year, hopes had been raised as a draft amendment to the animal protection law promised to make these parks (and circuses using animals) illegal but in an abrupt about-face, this amendment has been dropped. The reason given is that these parks introduce youngsters to nature. Thirty years ago I was saddened to see dancing bears in the streets of Bodrum, I wonder if the ministers who dropped this bill, think that dancing bears too encourage children to appreciate wildlife. The dolphins in these parks look just as forlorn as the bears in their chains. The only way to see dolphins is in the wild. Don't visit these parks. Take a boat trip instead and you might be rewarded with the sight of these magnificent creatures in all their exuberant glory as they race alongside. It is a crime to imprison these naturally vivacious and animated creatures to make money. And big money it must be. Money is talking. Our mayor, initially sympathetic to the cause was "unavailable" to accept the petition yesterday.
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Right on, B to B!! In place of introducing kids to nature, humans in pursuit of money are laying waste to it. And our hearts bleed to see animals abused in any way. Good for you guys who are the ones setting a great example to kids.
ReplyDeleteThe worst pictures I saw were of dolphins being transported on the back of a pick up - just a wet cloth over them.
DeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteAnimal abuse wherever and in whatever form it takes must be challenged and it is so good that you and some like minded people have become organised in this way.
We have never visited a Dolphin park and find the idea of them saddening and repulsive. Children must be taught to appreciate Nature in its own setting.
How long will it take, I wonder
DeleteI had every intention of being there yesterday but ended up on a puppy rescue mission instead, but I do support the fight against dolphins being kept captive just for human entertainment. Someone once likened it to a human being forced to spend their life in a bath. These beautiful creatures are used to swimming aroung 100km a day. They get very depressed at being kept in these small enclosures, and also at being parted from the families. It has been known for them to commit suicide. I was dismayed when the draft amendment was dropped. As you say, and as we all know...it's all about the money.
ReplyDeleteAt least your mission had an immediate positive result.
DeleteGood to see the rebel in you is fighting for good causes again - I thought you told us last year your days of protesting were over!! Having seen dolphins and whales in their natural habitat then it's a definitely NO - I'd never go to a dolphin park.
ReplyDeleteNeeds must!
DeleteGood on you and with full support; it really hurts my children seeing them captivated, will spread the word gladly, Selamlar, Ozlem
ReplyDeleteI hope your children get to see some dolphins in the a gulf when you are here.
DeleteI empathise Annie as I'm sure you know - single issues can make a marginal difference but what we need to do is get rid of the present system
ReplyDeletePetitions sometimes seem a petty drop in the ocean, but doing nothing doesn't appeal either.
DeleteIntroducing kids to nature? They're nothing natural about caging animals (even in relatively benign environments like Regents Park Zoo). Show them a David Attenborough documentary and send on a field trip instead.
ReplyDeleteTurkish TV used to be full of wildlife documentaries. I wonder if it still is.
DeleteWell, keep at it. The one in Hisarönü was closed down after protests, petitions and the involvement of Born Free and the dolphins were rehabilitated and freed, too. As you say, they should be free, in the sea. We've seen them a few times in Fethiye, Çalış and Istanbul so they are there, in their natural habitats. Seeing them like this is a privilege.
ReplyDeleteI believe the one in Hisarönü was a swimming pool. Unbelievably cruel environment. If we can dissuade visitors from paying to see caged animals, the business will end. As long as there is a market....
DeleteI have just sent a message to Bodrum Belediyesi and wrote a public review on their facebook page asking them to do something about the dolphin park quoting from their own website about respecting the animals' right to live....
ReplyDeleteThank you for reading and contacting the Belediye. The more pressure the better.
ReplyDeleteI was really disappointed when I saw that part of the law had been dropped. Doubtless for profit. We would never go to a dolphin park. Sadly, though, they will persist for as long as people visit them. Education is the key. It's really understandable that people want to swim with dolphins but, I am sure, if they understood how the dolphins suffered, they would not want the experience. We have two water parks near us. One with dolphins and one without. We would always encourage visitors to go to the one without dolphins. We haven't actually been to either!
ReplyDeleteWe were once fortunate enough to see a pod of dolphins swimming free (we were on a ferry returning to the UK from Ireland). It was a truly wonderful and unforgettable sight.
I couldn't agree more. Dolphins are such intelligent, sociable animals and to treat them like this is shameful. So sorry the amendment has been dropped.
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