With “Dolphin Tale 2” gracing the big screens this September, what better way to celebrate than for the Clearwater Aquarium (the location of the first Dolphin Tale movie) to announce they will no longer host animal performances! Instead, the aquarium is emphasizing its focus to animal rehabilitation.
The original movie featured to rescue of Winter the dolphin, and the sequel is based on Hope, another dolphin rescued by the aquarium. Hope and Winter (the real-life dolphins living at the aquarium) will benefit from this decision by receiving tanks that are up to three times the size of their current habitats –whether they will be eligible for release is yet to be seen. Guests will also now be able to view aquarium residents from platforms and walkways, rather than bleacher seats.
The aquarium’s CEO, David Yates, stated, “We’re not about the big shows and stuff like that. The whole essence of this thing is no matter what animals we have or don’t have, the experience of getting behind the scenes of our work, that’s going to be the draw long-term.”
Rehabilitation and animal rescues will now be in the spotlight of a $68 million aquatic center in Clearwater, Florida. Habitats at the aquarium will be reserved for animals who are unable to survive in the wild, and all other funds will go to rehab and release efforts. The facility will also have interactive computer games that will allow children to make simulated choices about animal care and marine mammal rescue.
“We don’t rescue [animals] so we can have them to show to guests,” said Yates. “Our goal is to release them back into the wild.”
Aquariums, such as Baltimore’s National Aquarium, have begun to emphasize their rehabilitation facilities in the wake of “Blackfish,” the documentary that seeks to uncover the truth behind SeaWorld’s captive orcas.
In fact, SeaWorld just recently announced their plans to create larger habitats (*cough* viewing facilities *cough*) and emphasize wild animal conservation. These plans, however, seem to be a bit fishy as they have not been finalized, and the park has yet to discuss the possibility of releasing orcas to sea pens.
Yates said the Clearwater Aquarium is not trying to make a statement about the practices of other marine parks, rather, the facility will be focusing on their personal goal of releasing injured animals back into the wild.
“We’re not trying to win a popularity contest. We’re just trying to do what we do and do our mission,” he said.
Image source: Carlos Castro / Flickr
Wow! That\’s like saying, "Look at me world! I will no longer beat my wife! Of course I did for years, and who knows what this has done to her, but look at me you other wife beaters!! I\’m now the poster child for one who has stopped beating up my wife! I should get a prize! And well, of course, I will make tons of money off my wife who I will always keep ON DISPLAY.
I\’m glad they will stop forcing the dolphins to do stupid circus tricks, but bragging rights? How about a sincere apology for having done it in the first place. And why don\’t they do fund raising like other non-profit marine mammal rescue groups–ask for donations instead of making the animals endure public scrutiny every day. and charging the public to gawk at them? And the larger tanks for $68 million? Most of that is likely for the new "aquarium." Why not build true sea pens to allow the dolphins who can not be released into the sea have REAL ocean water with ADEQUATE space to swim?
Well said, thank you Terese!
Couldn\’t have said it better myself! Too little too late, they\’ve already made their money off of Winter\’s (and now Hope\’s) backs so now they\’re going to sit back and ride the wave of stardom, while saying "SEE? WE\’RE THE GOOD GUYS! COME SPEND YOUR MONEY HERE!" No thanks, you don\’t deserve any more money. Winter continues to suffer and live in misery no matter how big her prison cell is.