(fwd) dolphins : protest against manati park

FYI - Below are several messages that are circulating against Manati
Park activities
Yacine
===============

YOU WILL GO FOR HOLIDAYS TO THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC ?
BEWARE OF MANATI PARK BAVARO ! BOOK ONLY RECOMENDED HOTELS!
(list see below)

PLEASE JOIN THE WORLDWIDE PROTEST AND HELP TO FREE THE DOLPHINS OF
MANATI PARK - WRITE YOUR PROTEST E-MAIL NOW!
(details below)

Update February 2003
For the first time in history of the Dominican Republic the civil
society of the Dominican Republic in the defence of dolphins take on the
owner of Manati Park and the State in a lawsuit. The Dominican lawyer
who represents the community of Bayahibe and the Dominican Academy of
Science informed that the Dominican State has ratified the Cartagena
Convention and supported petitions before the Senators and legislators
asking them to dictate resolutions to prevent alert and reject dolphin
capture in this country.
The civil society of the Dominican Republic fighting for the freedom of
the dolphins deserves all our respect and support.
PLEASE SUPPORT THEM BY SENDING ALSO YOUR PROTEST TO THE AUTHORITIES IN
THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
We therefore also ask YOU to support the efforts of the local
communities to free the dolphins of Manati Park Bavaro, to urgently
demand that this mistreatment has to be stopped immediately and Manati
Park can no longer make money out of the suffering of these animals. We
ask that the remaining dolphins are returned to the areas from which
they were captured or rehabilitated in a natural environment.

ECOTERRA Intl.

Please address your protest (Sample letter below but please feel
encouraged to modify it with your own words. The text HAS TO BE in
English or even preferable in Spanish) to:

        Lic. Jose Antonio Trinidad Sena
        Procurador
(in absence of a direct e-mail address please send to
freemanatidolphins@gmx.net
e-mails will be handed over directly)

H.E. the Honourable
Presidente del Estado
Mr. Hipolito Meja
Fax: 001-809- 686-7830
e-mail: prensa@presidencia.gov.do

To Sr. Frank Moya Pons
Secretaria de Estado de Medio Ambiente y de Recursos Naturales (Minister
of Environment)
Fax: 001-809- 540-2667 or Fax 001-809-540-7561
e-mail: medioambiente@codetel.net.do
or agil@medioambiente.gov.do

Sr.Rafael Subervi Bonilla
Secretario de Estado de Turismo (Minister of Tourism)
Fax. 001-809 682-3806
e-mail: rafaelsubervi@sectur.gov.do

Copy to: freemanatidolphins@gmx.net

Honorables Señores,
Nos dirigimos a ustedes para solicitarles que se unan a los
movimientos internacionales y nacionales de protesta contra las
instalaciones de delfines de Manati Park Bavaro - las cuales, desde su
establecimiento, han sido criticadas tanto por expertos como visitantes
por las condiciones en que mantienen a los delfines: pequeñas y vacías
piscinas de cautiverio de cemento, mala calidad del agua, falta de
instalaciones de refugio, etc. Pero, lo especialmente preocupante es el
Programa de Nadar con Delfines en que los delfines son sometidos a
intensas horas de interacciones con los visitantes y, debido a la
crueldad de la actividad, estos han mostrado ya signos de agresividad
contra algunos turistas y hay un alto índice de mortaldad de delfines en
esta instalación.

Tour operadores y hoteles ya han dejado de cooperar con Manati Park y
los medios de comunicación internacionales han mostrado reportajes
impactantes. Estamos indignados por el hecho de que, a pesar de las
terribles condiciones de vida y nivel extremo de explotación de los
delfines en el programa de Nadar con Delfines, en Agosto de 2002, Manatí
Park utilizó un permiso ilegal y capturó 8 delfines más en aguas
nacionales, lo cual viola, además de la Ley 64-00, las normativas del
Parque Nacional del Este, una zona especialmente protegida. Es
inaceptable que, hasta ahora, nadie sepa donde están estos ocho delfines
y el parque se ha negado a dar información.

Nosotros- los abajo firmantes- queremos apoyar los esfuerzos de las
comunidades locales de Bayahibe para liberar a los delfines de Manati
Park Bavaro y pedimos urgentemente que se ponga fin inmediatamente a
este maltrato y que Manati Park no siga ganando dinero del sufrimiento
de los animales. Solicitamos que los delfines restantes sean devueltos a
las zonas de donde fueron capturados o rehabilitados en un medio
natural.
Atentamente
Nome
Locacion
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Honourable Sirs,
We address you to join the international and national movements of
protests against the dolphins facilities of Manati Park Bavaro - which
since its establishment has been criticised by experts and visitors
alike concerning the conditions the dolphins are kept: Small and barren
cement captive pools, the quality of the water, lack of refuge or
sanctuary facilities, etc. But of particular concern is the handling of
the Swim with Dolphins Program by which the dolphins have intense hours
of interactions with visitors and due to its cruel outline have shown
already aggressive behaviour against some tourists. Also the mortality
rate of dolphins at this facility is horrendous.

Tour Operators and Hotels stopped co-operation and international media
aired shocking reports. We are outraged about the fact, that despite the
poor living conditions and extreme level of exploitation of the dolphins
during the swim program in August 2002 Manati Park used an illegal
permit and captured further eight dolphins in national waters, which
violates Law 64-00 as well the regulations of the Parque Nacional del
Este, which is a specially protected area. It is unacceptable that up to
now nobody knows where the eight dolphins are being held and that the
park is allowed to refuse any information.

We - the Undersigned - would therefore herewith support the efforts of
the local communities of Bayahibe to free the dolphins of Manati Park
Bavaro and urgently ask that this mistreatment has to be stopped
immediately and Manati Park is no longer allowed to make money out of
the suffering of animals. We ask that the remaining dolphins are
returned to the areas from which they were captured or rehabilitated in
a natural environment.
Sincerely - Name - Address

PLEASE HELP TO DISTRIBUTE THE FOLLOWING TOURIST ALERT AND THE LIST OF
RECOMMENDED HOTELS
- also feel free to make double sided copies and distribute them along
the beaches and in the hotels -

YOU WANT TO SPEND YOUR HOLIDAYS IN PUNTA CANA - BAVARO / DOMINICAN
REPUBLIC ? THINK TWICE BEFORE YOU BOOK:

As tourist in Punta Cana / Dominican Republic you have to be aware that
there is a lawsuit pending against MANATI PARK and the state concerning
the illegal capture of dolphins for Manati Park, who also is
internationally criticised for its cruel treatment of dolphins and its
Swim-with-Dolphins programme. We recommend that you only book with
hotels and tour operators, which publicly have distanced and
disassociated themselves from Manati Park and who don't send tourists to
that hellhole.

Specifically the illegal capture of dolphins from the marine National
Park del Este has infuriated the local communities and critical
situations for tourists, which continue to visit the Manati facilities
or stay in affiliated hotels can not be ruled out.

A) THE GOOD
These Hotels have terminated business with Manati Park and registered
their protest against the illegal capture of dolphins as well as their
support of the demand to close the Manati Park dolphin facilities.
We recommend:

Riu Melao
Riu Naiboa
Riu Palace Macao
Riu Taino
LTI Punta Cana Beach Resort

B) THE BAD
We can not recommend:
a) These Hotels have expressed their understanding for the terrible
situation or registered their protest against Manati Park but they
continue themselves or allow within their premises business as usual
with Manati Park (based on clear and proven reports by independent
investigators).

Iberostar Bavaro
Iberostar Dominicana
Iberostar Punta Cana
Bavaro Princess All Suites & Resort
Occidential Flamenco Bavaro
Fiesta Bavaro
Fiesta Beach/Palace Resort
Fiesta Dominican Hotel
H10 Bavaro Resort
Barcelo Villas de Bavaro
Barcelo Bavaro Village
Barcelo Bavaro Ocean Village
Barcelo Bavaro Palace
Barcelo Bavaro Beach
Barcelo Bavaro Casino
Barcelo Bavaro Garden
Barcelo Bavaro Golf
Natura Park Resort
Allegro Resort Bavaro

b) The management of these hotels is ignorant, their activities unclear
and they have not responded at all.

Secrets Excellence Resort Punta Cana
Hodelpa Caribe Club
Carabela Bavaro Beach Resort
Catalonia Bavaro Resort
Club Med
Punta Cana Beach Resort

C) THE UGLY
WE WOULD NEVER LET THOSE HOTELS HAVE OUR TOURIST DOLLARS:
These Hotels have not registered any protest against Manati Park,
continue to have business with Manati Park or even support their
activities.
Sirenis Tropical & Cocotal Beach Resort
Breezes Punta Cana Spa & Casino Beach Resort

UNCLEAR:
We do up to now have no feedback for the following hotels and would ask
tourists for reporting if they notice advertisment for Manati Park in
those hotels, which clearly have expressed their intent to stop
cooperation with Manati Park.

Melia Caribe
Melia Tropical
Paradisus Punta Cana
Sunscape Punta Cana Grand

This list might change over time since more and more Hotels stop to have
any affiliation with Manati Park.

TOURISTS: PLEASE CHECK CLEARLY WITH YOUR TRAVEL AGENT THAT YOU ARE
BOOKED IN ONE OF THE RECOMMENDED HOTELS.

TOURISTS: PLEASE STAY AWAY FROM MANATI PARK AND BOOK YOUR
HOLIDAYS ONLY WITH THE RECOMMENDED HOTELS. PLEASE REPORT
BACK TO US ANY OBSERVATION YOU MAKE IN CONNECTION WITH THIS
ALERT. PLEASE REPORT US AS WELL IN ANY CASE WHERE THE TOUR
OPERATOR YOU BOOKED WITH IS OFFERING TOURS TO MANATI PARK

- please send your e-mails to:
freemanatidolphins@ecoterra.net and copy to:
freemanatidolphins@gmx.net

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

Manati Park is a zoo-like establishment in the Dominican Republic /
Punta Cana offering disgusting swim-with-dolphins programs. Five
bottlenose dolphins are confined in a very small chlorinated pool. The
size of the pool is alarmingly inadequate for dolphins who typically
swim up to forty miles a day in the wild. The dolphins are forced to
participate in swim-with-dolphins program three times per day, seven
days a week. They are also made to perform in the arena twice per day,
seven days a week. They are forced to pose for pictures outside the
water in the scorching sun and their slavers allow 200 customers per day
to cling to their pectoral fins while they have to circle around the
pool. They have to, since they are fodder-dependent.

Since its establishment the dolphins facilities of Manatí Park, Bavaro
has been criticised by experts and visitors alike in relation to the
conditions dolphins are kept: Small and barren cement captive pools, the
quality of the water, lack of refuge or sanctuary facilities, but of
particular concern is the handling of the Swim with Dolphins Program by
which the dolphins have intense hours of interactions with visitors and
due to its cruel outline have shown already aggressive behaviour against
some tourists. The mortality rate of dolphins at this facility has been
difficult to evaluate, due to the lack of information given by the
authorities, but at least 3 dead dolphins are documented.

Tour Operators and Hotels stopped co-operation and international media
aired shocking reports even showing a dolphin attacking a child in the
pool because he was so overworked. VISA International, Nestle and Pepsi
Cola, originally mentioned as sponsors of Manati Park, ordered and
achieved that their logos had to be removed from the Manati Park
brochures and billboards. The only remaining advertiser affiliated to
Manati Park is the local bottled water company ATLANTA, which is now
boycotted by most tourists and local communities.

The History of Dolphin Slavery at Manati Park

1995:
Manati Park was opened in 1995. In November 1995, the government of the
Dominican Republic through its Department of Wildlife of the Secretariat
within the Ministry of Agriculture, granted a permit to capture 10
bottlenose dolphins in local waters.

1996:
According to a document provided by Manati Park and dated November 14,
1996, two dolphins out of the permitted quota of 10 were captured in
local waters. According to the 1996 annual report of CITES (Convention
on International Trade of Endangered Species) four dolphins were
imported from Cuba.

1999:
Additional two dolphins were imported from Cuba (CITES annual report
1999)
As a summary it is herewith documented, that between 1996-1999 eight
wild dolphins have been provided for Manati Park.

2002:
January 2002:
Only five dolphins survived at the park, thus indicating the death of
three dolphins since 1996. However it is presumed that the information
is incomplete and that the death rate much higher than the one official
stated by Manati Park.

Despite the poor living conditions and extreme level of exploitation of
the dolphins during the swim program, the Ministry for Natural
Resources, Sr. Frank Moya Pons, in January 2002 granted permission to
Manati Park to utilise the original capture permission issued in
November 1995, though in the meantime the laws had changed in the
Dominican Republic. Every new capture done now therefore violates the
national Dominican Republic Law 64-00 Article 175 promulgated on August
18, 2000, which prohibits the capture of protected species. A separate
article in this law in particular even states that permits are not valid
if they are contrary to the principles of the Law.

August 2002:
In August 2002 Manati Park used this illegal permit and captured another
eight dolphins in national waters at a location near the village of
Bayahibe, on the east coast of the D.R.. Besides the violation of Law
64-00 this capture was done in the specifically protected area of a
national park, the Parque Nacional del Este. The illegal capture
therefore violates also the regulations of the national park. None of
the local contacts up to now knows where the eight dolphins are being
held - Manati Park refuses to give information - and their whereabouts
are unknown to the public since their August capture. Attempts to
capture more dolphins in August faced the protest of different sectors
of society, specifically the communities near the park and the local
environmental and tourist organisations and more captures could herewith
be avoided.

December 2002
The inspection by experts from the "Human Society of the United States"
reports that "the facility is perhaps one of the worst we have ever
seen. There are standard concrete tanks, all the tank walls had algal
growth on them - the cleaning schedule appears insufficient to keep the
growth to a minimum. The paint is chipping and all the metal in the
tanks and on the gates was rusting. The holding tanks were separated
from the primary enclosure by wooden gates - this is not optimal (the
gates should be stainless steel), as wood can harbour dangerous levels
of bacteria, even after cleaning. The animals are fed fish held in
plastic-lined, Styrofoam coolers - this is also not optimal (the fish
should be held in stainless steel pails), for the same reasons. We
could not see the quality of the fish from our vantage point. The music
accompanying the performance was exceptionally loud. The show also had
no educational content - it was purely entertainment."

2003:
January 2003:
The lawyer of the Academy of Science, files a denunciation with the
Ministry of Environment, citing violations of the SPAW Protocol of the
Cartagena Convention and the domestic environmental statute, #64-00.
The plaintiffs are the local Marine Mammal Group Fundemar, the community
of Bayahibe where the illegal captures took place, and the Academy of
Science of the Dominican Republic.

As there are no known norms or regulations for marine mammals in
captivity in the Dominican Republic local institutions have suggested,
on several opportunities, to the environmental authorities the need of
these measures in order to protect the species and to comply with the
requirements of the various international conventions which the
Dominican Republic has subscribed. There is no public research on
population and distribution studies of Tursiops truncatus in Dominican
waters.

A national and international movement of protest has been organizsed
to free the dolphins initiated by the joint community groups of
Bayahibe ( City council, church, environmental groups, etc.)
intellectuals, scientists and lawyers from the Dominican Academy of
Science and of course, representatives of local protection societies.

February 2003
For the first time in history of the Dominican Republic the civil
society of the Dominican Republic in the defence of dolphins take on the
owner of Manati Park and the State in a lawsuit. The Dominican lawyer
who represents the community of Bayahibe and the Dominican Academy of
Science informed that the Dominican State has ratified the Cartagena
Convention and supported petitions before the Senators and legislators
asking them to dictate resolutions to prevent alert and reject dolphin
capture in this country.
The civil society of the Dominican Republic fighting for the freedom of
the dolphins deserves all our respect and support.

WEBMASTERS / LISTOWNERS: Please feel free to post the information and
the list on your website or mailing list and inform us respectively in
order to also be furnished with the updates, which are based on a
continuous flow of documented reports from the Dominican Republic.

LOCAL SUPPORT GROUPS: Please make copies and distribute them politely
to the travellers at the respective airport counters especially in
Hamburg, Frankfurt, Stuttgart, München, Madrid, Miami, Bruxelles, Paris,
London, Roma and Wien, from where most charter flights start to the DR.
Speak to your local travel agent and make them aware! Feedback to:
AmericasNode@ecoterra.net

---------------

From:
          "ECOTERRA Intl." <AmericasNode@ecoterra.net>
 Reply-To:
          NATURAL_SEAS@ecoterra.net
       To:
          undisclosed-recipients:;

Dear Members, Friends and Supporters,

Most of you had written already once to the Authorities in the
Dominican Republic to help the dolphins in captivity of Manati Park.
THANK YOU - it made a real difference!

Thanks to this international support the local people of Bayahibe
have stepped up their demand to free the illegally captured
dolphins and to close the dolphin tanks at Manati Park.

PLEASE CONTINUE YOUR SUPPORT ! (see attachment)

As you know, we usually never send e-mail attachments, but
since we ask you today to make also hardcopies for widest
distribution of the information and the alert, we have attached
it as a MsWord document, have seriously screened it for
any virus or trojaner and tried to keep the size small.

PLEASE SEND YOUR E-MAILS !
PLEASE MAKE HARDCOPIES OF THE ALERT AND
DISTRIBUTE IT TO ALL HOLIDAY MAKERS.

Thanks for your continuous support for the dolphins !
If you like to support the local people of Bayahibe, directly
through our trust fund - please contact us immediately.
It s a impoverished community who does not get much
of the benefits brought by tourism. But they are the
guardians of the Marine National Park, which also
will serve future generations.

FREE THE MANATI PARK DOLPHINS!
TOGETHER WE'LL SUCCEED !

Carmen Delgado

ECOTERRA Intl.
Americas Node

----------------

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see copyright and disclaimer at www.ecop.info !
Copyright © ECOTERRA Intl. 2003
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Received on Thu Feb 20 13:29:12 2003