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1.9K Views
12 years ago
Boy’s Wish to Swim With Dolphins Granted by Sea Shepherd (In a Different Way)
Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons
A young boy in Ireland wrote a letter to Santa asking for just one thing – to see a dolphin. In the letter, published in the Irish Daily Mirror, he said, “I’ve lived a life of abuse. I was abused by my father who was an abuser and an alcoholic…All I want for Christmas is my dream, which is to see Winter the Dolphin in Clearwater Marine Aquarium in Clearwater Florida.”
Who wouldn’t be moved by his request? The letter was found by his mother, and the Conservation group Sea Shepherd heard of the boy’s wish and decided to respond with a wonderful offer. Sea Shepherd will be taking the boy to see dolphins on the coast of West Cork, with the chance to see other wild marine life as well.
Sea Shepherd’s Irish Director Sue Anthony said, “He’s a young man who has been through a lot of trauma in his life…It would be great to bring the young lad and his mum to West Cork to see dolphins in their natural habitat…I think the reason that we want to offer this opportunity is to show this young boy that inspiration can come from the wild dolphins around our coast.”
The trip is sure to be a beautiful experience for the boy and his mother, and it’s wonderful for them to be able to experience dolphins in their own environment. Just see the response from the boy and his mother as told to the Irish Mirror. He said, “It means everything to me. When I’m older I really want to help animals and be a vet. It’s been my lifelong dream and I’m finally getting the chance.”
His mother said, “When I read it, initially I broke down crying. It broke my heart.”
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
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well done!!!
Hi Alexis
Many thanks for publishing this article; we are delighted to partner with Dingle Wildlife & Seal Sanctuary who will give this young boy a special tour with some close encounters with their rescued seal pups. Dingle Wildlife & Seal Sanctuary rescue rehabilitate and then releases wildlife and specifically the seal pups. We will then take a trip with Whale Watch West Cork, Baltimore who have recently won third prize for sustainable whale watching from Planet Whale. This should be a fantastic trip with Dolphins, seals, lots of birds and hopefully a whale might put in an appearance.
Sea Shepherd Ireland hope that this trip will give this boy and his mam a break from the life that they have endured; but just as important it is to show that captivity is never the answer; the cruelty that dolphins endure when ripped from the oceans for our entertainment and during captivity can never can be justified.
If you are interested in joining Sea Shepherd Ireland for our 2014 outdoor weekend where we will be Island hopping taking gentle nature rambles and a marine tour with Whale Watch West Cork, Baltimore, please drop a line to contact@seashepherd.ie and you can always find out what we are doing locally by checking out our Facebook page: Sea Shepherd Ireland.
For the oceans
Sue Anthony
Coordinator/Director
Sea Shepherd Ireland.