Target: Joe Lupo, President of the Mirage Hotel & Casino
Goal: Demand the Mirage release its remaining captive bottlenose dolphins after a third dolphin died at their facilities within a 6-month period.
K2, a bottlenose dolphin who spent his entire life at Las Vegas’ Mirage casino died in early October, making him the third dolphin to die at the Mirage within the last past 6 months. While dolphins in the wild have an average life expectancy of 20 to 30 years—with a maximum ranging upwards of 65 years—the three who died were all between the ages of eleven and nineteen.
Dolphins are highly social, free-ranging animals and being isolated from their friends and kin has damaging effects on their physical and psychological health. It has long been known that dolphins in captivity suffer stress and depression, resulting in appetite loss, ulcers, and increased susceptibility to various diseases. In fact, within the last 31 years, 16 dolphins have died at the Mirage alone.
Sign this petition to demand that the Mirage casino dedicate their efforts towards preparing the remaining dolphins to be released into the wild. No more dolphins should suffer this grim fate for their profit.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Mr. Lupo,
Early this October, an 11-year-old bottlenose dolphin died at the Mirage Hotel and Casino, making it the third to die at this particular facility within the past 6 months. Over the course of the 31 years that the Mirage has been running, a total of 16 dolphins have died. Clearly, this is not an adequate setup for the dolphins–which can live up to 65 years in the wild. When in captivity dolphins grow extremely stressed, which can make them more susceptible to appetite loss, ulcers, and various diseases.
We are asking you, Mr. Lupo, to prevent any future acquisition of dolphins at your facility and work towards rehabilitating and releasing the dolphins currently in the Mirage’s possession.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: marcp_dmoz
these animals were not put on this earth to amuse humans. they are smart, sensitive creatures that command respect and are quite amazing and beautiful to see but not at the cost of their safety or their freedom. leave wildlife the hell alone. if they need any help you will know it.
Agree, this should never happen to God’s creatures and I hope this will be in the press
No wild animal should be held captive for human entertainment
Please leave wild animals live their lives freely. Stop this cruel practice.
Please, let these creatures be released. Want to be a real hero? Make it known that because of the recent deaths the Mirage Hotel and Casino are going to release these animals back to the wild! We ask that everyone watch our progress and follow us to the release site! That’s what a real hero would do. Would make the Mirage look like the animals meant something and you would make sure they would enjoy freedom the rest of their lives. Be the hero!
Humans are but one species of a very large list of mammals who share this planet [among a lot of other living beings!]. Animals were here first….humans come along with that arrogant attitude that we are all that…we ARE the only ones trashing the very planet we need for life!! Time for our species to grow up and become the responsible humans we were meant to be…accountable, kind and compassionate. ANY of the humans involved with this PARTICULAR SITUATION THAT ALLOWED THESE HORRIBLE DEATHS…THEY ARE all guilty of cruelty and negligence at the very least and shouLd be so charged and punished!!!
Lupo is a pos and does not care.
Disgusting how you treated the Dolphins Please let them go back to the ocean where they belong
YOU ARE DISGUSTING!!!!!!! REALEASE THESE DOLPHINS BACK TO THE OCEAN, NO ANIMAL SHOULD BE HELD CAPTIVE!!!~~!~!
This is just sickening. When is animal use in the entertainment industry going to be banned, period! And enforced, with harsh penalties! Felony abuse with jailttime!
Who are the stupid, ignorant people who pay to see this torture.
STOP GOING TO THESE SHOWS.
I am absolutely disgusted that the Mirage continues to be allowed to have captive dolphins! 16 dead in 31 years? Outrageous! They have to be stopped!
BOYCOTT THE MIRAGE!
It is beyond abhorent that this continues where wild life; or any animal is imprisoned for whatever Man deems desireable for their use. Sickening.
How much money do you need to put animals through torture. Karma
Please allow animals to be free in their natural habitats and not confined for entertainment. It is wrong to support this type of service.
Release these dolphins to a life that they were born to live. The ocean is their freedom. You are killing these beautiful dolphins. Stop this cruel treatment! You have already shortened their lives. Time to allow these innocent dolphins out of captivity for entertainment. These sickening shows need to be BANNED! Heartbreaking 💔
It is shameful that the President of the Mirage Hotel & Casino would ignore the facts he has before him regarding the Dolphins. The facts show that 16 dolphins have died in the 31 years that the Mirage has been in business. These dolphins are clearly not living out their life expectancy as they would in the wild. Three dead in 6 months. These facts are both concerning and alarming. Mr. Joe Lupo needs to start taking into consideration that the Dolphins in his care should be released.
This is inexcusable and should be punishable by LAW!
How dare anyone profit from these little angels’ agony! Enclosing them for life ..causing them agony and heartbreak. This is animal cruelty. …in this case 3 counts of MURDER!
Stop going to Las Vegas or anywhere to see caged beings!!!!
Release the remaining dolphins NOW! and shut down this negligent casino. Fines and prison time is due to all responsible!
YOU GREEDY SADISTIC PSYCHOPATHS, you are totally DEHUMANIZED!
DOLPHINS have NOTHING to do in your FILTHY BUSINESS!
Dolphins are majestic and innocent animals, and you are human GARBAGE!!!
RELEASE the remaining dolphins NOW!
you only care of making money …while starving these beautiful souls…. let go of all dolphins to live freely.