Success: National Aquarium to Release Dolphins to Sanctuary

Target: Robert E. Carter, Chair of the National Aquarium Institute Board of Directors

Goal: Thank aquarium for deciding to release all its dolphins to a seaside sanctuary.

The National Aquarium in Baltimore, Maryland has recently announced that it will be sending all eight of its bottlenose dolphins to a seaside sanctuary. This is great news for the six females and two males currently at the aquarium. This is partly thanks to public intervention, including protests and petitions like this one on ForceChange.

Dolphins are highly intelligent, curious, and social animals. The aquarium announced that “times have changed, and our understanding of the needs of the animals in our care has changed. A lot of very valid research has been done in the last 20 years to open our eyes to the cognitive and social behavior of dolphins.”

It is great to see an institute that clearly cares more about the well being of its animals than profit. The aquarium is changing with the times and hopefully more aquariums and sea parks will follow in its footsteps.

PETITION LETTER:

Dear Mr. Carter,

Recently, the National Aquarium announced that it will be retiring all eight of its bottlenose dolphins to a seaside sanctuary. This is great news. Thank you for understanding that these dolphins need more than a pool. At the sanctuary, they will be able to feel the tides, interact with wild dolphins and swim in the sea. As you know, dolphins are highly intelligent and social animals. This change will be great for their physical and mental health.

Thank you again for putting the well being of the animals as your priority rather than profit. It is inspiring to see and I hope more aquariums and sea parks follow in your footsteps.

Sincerely,

[Your Name Here]

Photo credit: Aude Steiner