Dolphin Show Axed

Dolphin reality TV show ordered to stop filming
news/2010_jan/dolphins_with_the_stars
The filming of a new Portuguese reality TV show, "Dolphins with the Stars,” has now been stopped, thanks to a campaign by marine mammal scientists and other animal protection NGOs, including the Born Free Foundation.

The show, which tasks celebrities to train individual captive dolphins to perform choreographed routines and tricks before live audiences, has already been broadcasted in Lithuania and  was currently being filmed for broadcast in Portugal, and the concept sold across Europe.

Daniel Turner, spokesperson for Born Free said, “We are delighted to hear that the Portuguese Government has contacted the TV channel SIC and advised against the filming and broadcast of ‘Dolphins with the Stars’. On behalf of the Dolphinaria-Free Europe coalition, Born Free wrote to Government officials, informing them about the TV show, raising concerns about the exploitation of the dolphins involved and highlighting obvious breaches in Portuguese law though the involvement of the licensed zoo, ZooMarine Algarve.” Turner adds, “We were informed this afternoon (18/05/2015) that the filming of TV programme has been suspended.”

Filming had been taking place at the licensed zoo, ZooMarine Algarve and the programme had been  scheduled for broadcast on 20th June. Letters sent to the Government of Portugal explained that the exploitative practices of the TV show contradicted the zoo’s legal requirements that dictate a commitment to species conservation, meaningful public education and species-specific animal welfare standards. It was clear that the use of ZooMarine’s bottlenose dolphins would be in breach of those requirements. Portugal’s Institute of Nature Conservation and Biodiversity appear to have agreed with our assessment.

Recognising that the programme, "Dolphins with the Stars” could still be broadcast in Portugal in the future, and quite possibly in other European nations, the Born Free Foundation will continue to monitor the situation and act in the interests of the captive wild animals

WS

Good result - no dolphins should be in captivity nor have to perform for our so called entertainment!

Thanks for sharing WS

Lai