UPDATE AND WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP

We are fighting for the survival of the dolphins in a dolphinarium in the Dominican Republic called “Manati Park Bavaro”, a facility which is under international attack for it’s miserable dolphin treatment since it’s opening. Even worse - in August 2002 Manati Park used an illegal permit to capture another eight dolphins in national waters 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 and conservation conventions to which the DR is signatory. A lawsuit was filed against Manati Park . Up to now no official information was provided as to where these eight dolphins are being held and if they are still alive at all.

In October 2004 - despite the fact that the lawsuit is still pending - Manati Park opened a second caged facility on the Bavaro beach called “Dolphin Island Park” which is just a swimming platform and a dolphin cage in 500 meters distance from the beach, where the dolphins are extremely exposed to low tides in shallow water and to the hot sun. The risk is high that this fragile structure is blown away completely by the next hurricane. It is most obvious that the four dolphins that are “used” in this park are the ones that have been illegally captured in the Parque Nacional des Este in 2002 and employees announced that it is planned to add more dolphins to this facility.

HOPE

With the election of a new President in the Dominican Republic and a new Government in place it seems that the Dominican Republic is now starting to pay more attention to environment and the necessity to protect it. For example last week the Ministry of Environment honoured the Hotel Association of La Romana and Bayahibe during an event held at the Presidency office for its commitment to conservation and sustainability in the Bayahibe area.

If there ever is a chance to convince the Ministry of Environment to finally take the necessary steps to stop the dolphin cruelty at Manati Park this time is NOW.

Therefore we need all of you to help !

What you can do is:

* Do not visit Manati Park or Dolphin Island Park - both are captive dolphin prisons in the Dominican Republic

* Put this alert on your websites

* Distribute this alert widely and ask all your friends and colleagues to widely distribute it

* Sign the Petition to free the Manati Park dolphins at: http://www.thePetitionSite.com/takeaction/309558120

* Complain if you find a tour operator that still offers one of this disgusting parks to their tourists and report this to us

* Urgently write an email to the Ministry of Environment to urge them to finally act and stop this cruelty. Sign with your name and the country you are coming from. Simply copy the text below and paste it in an empty email or write an email with your own words (please be so kind to bcc us at freemanatidolphins@gmx.net and share with us the answers you might receive).

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR HELP AND SUPPORT

THE SUFFERING OF THE DOLPHINS IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC MUST END !

- for further background info see:

http://www.ecop.info/english/e-call-manati.htm

http://www.ecop.info

Jose Miguel Moreno Nigorra, investigated in Spain concerning shady construction deals, managed to receive money even from the European Development Bank for his deals in the Dominican Republic. He is the man responsible for the continuous suffering of the captive dolphins in the DR.



Sample Email to the DR Ministry for Environment and Natural Resources:

To: areasprotegidas@medioambiente.gov.do
Bcc: freemanatidolphins@gmx.net


Lic. Daneris Santana,

Subsecretario de Areas Protegidas y Biodiversidad ,

Secretaria de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales

Ref: Manati Park Bavaro/Dolphin Island Park Owner: Jose Miguel Moreno

Honourable Sir,

Since years we are supporting the efforts of Dominican Republic local environment protection societies and the international movement of protest against the disgusting swim-with-dolphins program that is offered at Manati Park Bavaro and since October 2004 now as well at a so called “Dolphin Island Park” in Bavaro - both facilities owned by Sr. Jose Miguel Moreno.

As you are aware Manati Park is under international pressure for the unacceptable holding conditions (small and barren cement captive pools, quality of water, lake of refuge or sanctuary facilities, but of particular concern is the handling of the Swim with Dolphins Program by which the dolphins have intensive hours of interactions with visitors and due to its cruel outline have shown already aggressive behaviour against some tourists) and the high death rate of dolphins in their facility already since its establishment. Many tourists have cancelled the Dominican Republic from their holiday destination list as they are not prepared to visit countries where animal mistreatment of that kind is accepted.

In spite of the international protest and due to non reaction of the responsible Authorities Manati Park was able to capture another eight dolphins in national waters in August 2002 in the National Parque Este – a special protected area of a national park - and although legal actions has been initiated (violation of the SPAW Protocol of the Cartagena Convention and the domestic environmental statute # 64-00) the whereabouts of these dolphins could not be investigated till now.

We herewith would like to express our sincere concerns about that situation and express our support for the need of all measures in order to protect these dolphins and to comply with the requirements of the various international conventions which the Dominican Republic has subscribed. The only reason why dolphins are allowed to be legally held in capitivity as stated in SPAW are “education or scientific research”, non of which are given at Manati Park and Dolphin Island park, where the dolphins are just misused for entertainment and money making, and beside that there is not one moral reason to hold any animal in captivity.

In your new responsibility in the Secretaria de Medio Ambiente y Recursos we urgently ask you to inform us about the results of your inspection of the facility “Manati Park Bavaro”, provide update if inspection of “Dolphin Island Park” is as well planned and let us know about the measures that will/have been taken to end the dolphin cruelty in these amusement parks.

Sincerely

Name / Country



ECOTERRA Intl.

Famous for serenading the seas with their haunting melodies, the humpback whale has been protected since 1966, when it was on the brink of extinction from commercial whaling. But now a new threat has emerged, as media reports indicate that Japan is now seeking to resume commercial whaling of humpbacks, defying international agreements under the notorious "scientific research" loophole. Take action: http://www.care2.com/go/z/24786

Using a loophole that allows whales to be killed for scientific study, more than 25,000 whales have been killed since a worldwide ban on commercial whaling was passed by the International Whaling Commission (IWC) in 1986. Yet it's unnecessary to kill whales in order to study them, since non-lethal alternatives already exist.

At the International Whaling Commission meeting beginning July 20th, the world will vote on Japan's outrageous proposal to hunt humpback whales. Several countries remain undecided and are very sensitive to external opinion. With a little pressure, they can be swayed to protect the whales and stop Japan from slaughtering them.

That's why it's critical we tell the Swiss, Danish, Chinese and South Korean Ambassadors in our countries to oppose Japan's plan to kill endangered humpback whales - before it's too late.

Sign the petition: http://www.care2.com/go/z/24786
Thank you for taking action today!

- Dawn S
Care2 and ThePetitionSite team

Sea Shepherd Conservation Society
International Headquarters
PO Box 2616, Friday Harbor, WA 98250
http://www.seashepherd.org
Contact: Heather Callin
(360) 370-5650
heather@seashepherd.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 09, 2005

DISNEY SAYS - SHOW ME THE MONEY!

Shark Finning is Really, Really Bad, But We Want the Money Says Disney.

In a bizarre and completely unacceptable move, Hong Kong Disneyland has offered to distribute a leaflet with every bowl of shark fin soup they plan to serve at wedding banquets at the Disneyland Hotel in Hong Kong. The leaflets will explain that sharks are threatened and that the fins are cruelly removed and the live sharks are sometimes tossed back into the sea to die an agonizing death.

A Disney spokesperson says that this will be an educational campaign. "If customers insist on shark's fin soup we will agree to serve it to them but with a leaflet carrying information on shark fin harvesting," Disney spokeswoman Irene Chan said.

Disney defended its policy saying to not serve sharkskin would be "unthinkable" in Hong Kong where the food is a delicacy and where, because of its high value, its consumption is considered a sign of affluence."

Disney said it will serve shark fin in consideration of "local cultural sensitivities."

Sea Shepherd asks: What next? Whale burgers at Japan's Disneyland or how about doggie burgers for Filipino and Korean customers? Some cultures like cock-fighting and other cultures like monkey brains. If the profit is there, will Disney serve baby seal flipper pie?

Disney apparently believes that exploitation of threatened species and cruelty are justified if cultural demands are present and the price is right.

Disney also defended their plans by saying they will buy only from reputable shark fin dealers in Hong Kong. The problem is that there are no reputable shark fin dealers in Hong Kong.

"Hong Kong is the largest entry point in the world for illegally obtained shark fins," said Captain Paul Watson, president and founder of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. "The entire shark fin market is polluted with contraband shark products. Disney must really believe that conservationists are stupid enough to accept their bogus 'education and good faith package.'"

Sea Shepherd will not accept anything less than the complete removal of shark fin soup from the menus of any restaurant or hotel owned by the Disney Corporation.

"Forget about finding Nemo," said Captain Watson. "In a decade we won't be able to find a shark in the oceans and Disney will have contributed to that tragedy. Come on Eisner, you've got enough money, leave the sharks alone."

Sea Shepherd Conservation Society is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization in the U.S. Founded in 1977 by Captain Paul Watson, Sea Shepherd's mission is to defend, conserve, and protect marine wildlife and their habitats.


From EF! Media Center

URGENT!

Urge countries to stop Japan from killing humpbacks

TAKE ACTION:
http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?ID=M69227527435993115319765

MORE INFO:
http://www.phpbbforfree.com/forums/infonature-post-259.html#259


“Why did the whale songs disappear?” Let’s hope our children, and the generations that follow, never have to ask this question. Famous for serenading the seas with their beautiful, haunting melodies, the humpback whale has been protected since 1966 after becoming nearly extinct from commercial whaling.

But Japan is planning on killing humpbacks once again for their meat, defying international agreements and sanctuaries in the false name of “scientific research.” And only we can stop them.

I desperately need your help to stop this horrible tragedy before its too late.

Help keep the “Songsters of The Sea” singing

The grace, power, and beauty of the humpback whale as it glides underwater, leaps toward the sky, or simply lifts its flukes and slides into the sea symbolizes the vanishing poetry of nature.

The humpback’s song is one of nature’s greatest wonders. With a range that covers eight octaves, the songs of the male humpback can last up to 30 minutes, improvised and embellished between other males like jazz musicians.

Performed in the whales' mating and calving areas, these captivating songs may serve to attract females, scare away other males, or maintain the distance between other singers. But whatever the true purpose of their songs, one thing is certain: These magnificent, endangered creatures are meant to be witnessed in their natural beauty and heard, not eaten.

There is no humane way to kill a whale

Using a loophole that allows whales to be killed for scientific study, more than 25,000 whales have been hunted and killed since a worldwide ban on commercial whaling was passed by the International Whaling Commission (IWC) in 1986. Yet it is unnecessary to kill whales in order to research them, especially when non-lethal study alternatives already exist.

To kill whales, whalers launch grenade-tipped spears. Some whales continue to live up to an hour after the harpoon explodes inside them. These same cruel methods, first employed over a hundred years ago, are still used today.

Several countries hold the key votes in this month’s July 20th IWC meeting to pass or reject Japan's outrageous proposal to hunt humpback whales. Our sources tell us that these countries are very sensitive to external opinion, and with a little pressure, they can be swayed to vote to protect the whales, instead of slaughter them.

That’s why I need your help right now to contact the Swiss, Danish, South Korean, and Chinese Ambassadors in your country. Please ask them to support the IWC Conservation Committee and to reject Japan's proposal to expand its cruel whale hunt to include humpback and fin whales.

TAKE ACTION:
http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?ID=M69227527435993115319765

Every voice matters. This is your chance to speak out for the rest of the world, to make a real difference in keeping our "ocean’s" alive with nature’s most precious song.

I know that together, we can keep the humpbacks singing.


Informant: David Atlas