DON'T SWIM WITH THE DOLPHINS

Old Jun 1st, 2001, 04:16 PM
  #1  
Heather
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
DON'T SWIM WITH THE DOLPHINS

If you have not yet read or seen the shocking report out of Mexico regarding the treatment of dolphins for "swim with the dolphins" programs, you probably soon will. These poor creatures have been captured and transported under inhumane conditions, causing injury and death. While public outcry from Canadian travellers has caused the Mexican government to step in and suspend the license for at least one operator in La Paz, hundreds more are operating all over Mexico. It will be months before the government will be able to put stringent guidelines in place to protect these beautiful animals, so in the meantime it is up to us, the travellers, to help put a stop to the practice by refusing to buy the product. So please, think about these animals when planning your activities while on vacation. Do not support the practice, and there will be no financial gain to capture any more dolphins. If you don't want to do it for the dolphins, do it for yourself and/or your children who will be put at risk to be in the water with animals that have been treated so badly they may be unpredictable. If you really feel you must "swim with the dolphins", carefully inspect the conditions the animals are being kept in - if they cannot dive deep, they cannot escape the heat, and are suffering. Remember, none of them have been born into captivity, they were all once free. Like people, they mate for life, and stay in family circles, so when they are captured, they are torn from lifemates, and suffer their entire, shortened lives.
I know I will never consider visiting these places after reading, and seeing the footage, of this terrible story of an industry that exists ONLY for tourists.
 
Old Jun 2nd, 2001, 05:49 AM
  #2  
JRinPV
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Get your facts right. Dolphins do NOT mate for life. In fact adult males act kinda randy.
 
Old Jun 2nd, 2001, 06:33 AM
  #3  
Heather
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Jim, What a ridiculous reply to a terrible situation! If male dolphins do indeed act kinda randy, do they then actually deserve to be treated like that? I took that information from a newspaper story, and saw the disgusting photos and film footage - and you're concerned about making a correction about the males' mating propensities ! This was intended as information for tourists to alert them to terrible practices in a tourist trade, not as a college paper on biology. You sound like one of the owners of one of these places standing there on film as the dolphins are being abused, saying, "Trust me, they're very happy".
 
Old Jun 4th, 2001, 05:44 AM
  #4  
nauist
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
I am a Cerified Diver (NAUI) and have traveled and dived all over the world.
Dolphins are the most non-aggressive and sweetest of marine life and it is a disgrace that the dolphins are being treated this way. I WOULD LIKE TO CALL ON ALL DIVERS AND SNORKLERS ALIKE TO REFUSE TO PURCHASE SWIM WITH THE DOLPHIN PRODUCTS IN MEXICO. And Heather thank you for bringing this to our attention I will post this info on some of the Dive web sites. P.S. I will be in Cozumel June 19 2001 and will not be swimming with the dolphins. To JRinPV I understand you might feel that you have to correct one aspect of the original posting but the message is still important to us all and should be the
treatment of the dolphins.

Thank You,
Steve
 
Old Jun 4th, 2001, 08:37 AM
  #5  
Greg Gallagher
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
THANK YOU! This is inhumane and just plain wrong. I am a diver as well. I have been scuba diving since I was 13 (25 yrs. now). I agree boycott these S.O.B.s. Yes, can you tell I feel strongly against this. You should to.

They are sharing their world with us. Give them the respect they deserve. Observe, not destroy.
 
Old Jun 5th, 2001, 10:42 AM
  #6  
Tasha
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
This is truly a terrible tragedy that is occuring around the world. Peopla just dont seem to understand that the removal and isolation of the dolphins is a form of cruelty!

A website I always link to in all the "swim with the dolphins " posts I answer is:

WWW.DOLPHINPROJECT.ORG

From the trainer of the original "Flipper", now an anti-captive dolphin activists who attempts to set captive dolphins free!

If we all spread the word to every post we encounter we can help others to see the facts behind this dolphin slavery and exploitation!
 
Old Jun 5th, 2001, 11:19 AM
  #7  
pt
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Cheers to the above posts!!!! Do people REALLY believe that dolphins perform because they love humans? They do it because food is withheld and they know they will receive fish for their performance (dead fish I might add...they are used to live fish as their food). I could go on and on and on but just remember...A FREE DOLPHIN IS A HAPPY DOLPHIN!
 
Old Jun 7th, 2001, 12:17 PM
  #8  
Gale McGraw
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Thank you for your post about the dolphins. Princess cruise line has cancelled their "swim with the dolphins" excursion in Cozumel, and I had wondered why. I hadn't planned on participating in that, but I was curious.
 
Old Jun 8th, 2001, 07:34 AM
  #9  
rem
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
What a bunch of baloney. Let's lay off the proselytizing, shall we? If you don't want to swim with dolphins, don't. I've been a diver for 15 years and I enjoy marine life. Let's not forget they're animals, not people.
 
Old Jun 8th, 2001, 02:17 PM
  #10  
pt
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
To the above poster: Perhaps you should view a video/see in person what a capture looks like and the end results BEFORE the dolphins are brought to the 'dolphinariums'. It's wonderful that you have been diving for many years and enjoy marine life. What does that have to do with dolphins in captivity? ! By conserving our marine life, working hard to protect all marine life, you can continue to enjoy the marine life while you are diving for many years to come!
 
Old Jun 9th, 2001, 06:39 PM
  #11  
idontgetit
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
I really don't get it....why does anyone even WANT to swin with a dolphin? I highly doubt they feel the same facination. Not likely their pod offers a "swim with the humans tour". I would think if you truly loved them & respected them you would leave them alone doing what Mother Nature intended them to do...swim freely in the ocean.
Anyone else of the same opinion?
 
Old Jun 19th, 2001, 11:42 AM
  #12  
ali
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Wow! haven't ever swam with dolphins.. thought it sounded cool - but would be so much cooler if it was in the wild ratehr than in a tank anyway -
I never thought about the possibility that it could be creul for the dolphins to be captured like that- YOU GUYS ARE RIGHT. I have a trip planned for Mexico this sumemr and will probably have the opportunity to boycott this. Perhaps I will have a chance encounter the natural way one day.
 
Old Jun 20th, 2001, 06:31 AM
  #13  
JRinPV
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
We have an excursion here in Vallarta which goes out in the bay and encounters wild dolphins. Providing conditions are right, (there are marine biologists on board) you can enter the water and it's up to the dolphins if the what to interact with you. It does happen.
See Open Air Expeditions at:
http://vallartawhales.com/whale.htm
JR
 
Old Jun 20th, 2001, 04:35 PM
  #14  
Brad
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
To the ignorant 15 year diver who posted dolphins are animals and humans are in a different "class," go take a basic biology class. People are animals.
Dolphins deserve better than a cage.
 
Old Jun 21st, 2001, 11:19 AM
  #15  
Tasha
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
There is currently an organized attempt to keep captive dolphin swims out of the caribbean island nation of Antigua )...There was a post on another discussion board, with a link to a website that has extremely informative, if not graphic facts about these dolphin prisons. Please, if you have a heart, consider signing the petition at the bottom! Thanks

http://antigua-net.com/dolphin/
 
Old Jun 21st, 2001, 01:50 PM
  #16  
mel
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
jr in pv, get your facts right. to begin with pv is the asshole of the universe. way too many mexican's and drunk farts to give this place a proper name. when was the last time you met a 13 year old that didn't have a kid or two. oh yeah keep your hands off of the mammals.
 
Old Jun 22nd, 2001, 10:22 AM
  #17  
pt
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Gee, I feel sorry for you!! What an unhappy life you must have to post the above post or any of the other nasty ones you are posting. If you don't like Puerto Vallarta, so be it. Don't come down here! Quite simple. I hope your life improves rapidly because you are certainly wasting alot of time and energy in your nastiness!
 
Old Jun 22nd, 2001, 10:56 AM
  #18  
JRinPV
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Mel must have had an unhappy childhood. I'm so glad he doesn't like the place, I moved here to get away from those of his ilk.
 
Old Jun 24th, 2001, 10:03 PM
  #19  
Andrea
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
This is a practice which must stop - and public awareness is the only way to stop it. There will be a time in the not too distant future where these businesses dealing in captured dolphins, whales, seals and other marine life will be considered barbaric. As the general public becomes aware, the financial gains will be overshadowed by the losses as disgusted tourists respond with their pocketbooks. Mexico is suffering a deluge of tourist complaints threatening to boycott the country if the practice is not stopped. The government now has a chance to be at the forefront of the future tourist industry and set an example by refusing to allow this practice to continue in their country. In exchange, they will gain the tourists that countries who continue the disgrace will lose.
 
Old Jun 25th, 2001, 08:10 AM
  #20  
"Vallarta Vicki" Skinner
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Here's the schpeel I have in my Puerto Vallarta Guide on swimming with the dolphins:

Some people initially seem interested in the swim with the dolphin program that's offered outside of Vallarta. Do as you wish BUT I welcome you to consider looking at this type of program consciously. How would you feel if someone shoved you into a teeny tiny broom closet & LOTS of hands were groping at you, pulling on your arms & legs??

Dolphins natural homes are the WIDE ocean - not being penned up! They're sacred mammals that are to be respected & admired - from a distance!!! When an animal is not in a good mood or feels threatened by something - what happens?? They lash out!!

Imagine what a an angry mammal would feel like if it lashed out at you & PLEASE consider what you're doing to it!!! I've heard that programs like this also cut the life expectancy of these mammals down considerably!! And for what - so a few people can make LOTS of $$!!

PLEASE consider one of these wonderful programs (below) where you search the bay & learn about these magnificent creatures. They often come up to your panga (usually in front). If you desire to go into the water & see if THEY come up to you - great (though VERY RARE!!)!!! At least you're not violating them!!!

If you're still thinking of doing the swim with the dolphins - PLEASE read this site (though it's not specifically mentioning the one outside of Vallarta) http://elfi.com/csimexico.html also, www.DolphinProject.org

It's IMPORTANT the property owners/hosts, local business stay in integrity with what they speak & NEVER sell these tours to their clients as well.

Why not enjoy them in their own natural habitat (the vast sea) on a DOLPHIN IN THE WILD SEARCH TOUR!! This is TRULY a once in a lifetime experience!! You go out on a small panga (they hold up to 8 guests) SEARCHING for the dolphins, on tours lead by people that KNOW & RESPECT them & the local marine life in the Bay & they LOVE to share their knowledge with you!! You almost always find them as they're just as curious about you as you are of them & they're very playful (with boundries - meaning - they love to play - at a distance - ever as close as it is) & when you do they often come up & follow alongside the panga (if they don't & are around, I'd question the energy of the tour guide). These tours carry hydro-phones that you can share to listen in the water to the music they make! They also often carry snorkeling equipment if you want to get in the water (though it's not the clear Caribbean). While on the sea you'll often see whales in whale season (around Dec.-March). I did a tour once & there were even fish jumping in the air!! WOW!! What an AWESOME experience!!! I did Alfredo's wonderful tour in June & we saw dolphins breeding!! Reservations are MANDITORY & if it were me, I'd book it before coming down to ensure a seat!! Especially in Peak Season.

There are 2 that I LOVE - Ocean-Friendly Tours (22-53774 / www.OceanFriendly.4T.com ) I hear from others Oscar does amazing tours for between 4-8 guests only so they're VERY attentive, education, a MAGICAL tours! Oscar also give you hints on photographing these gentle giants & allows you to go in the water to be in their presence (though chances of them coming up to you is rare unless you have some pretty spectacular whale energy!!)!! His tours go out Tues., Thurs., & Sun. + he's available for private charters with as few as 4 guests (even if you're not 4, call him anyway as he might have others that are looking to go). He also has THE BEST rates - $60. (e- me at [email protected] if you want a coupon for 10% off!!!).

o Also, Alfredo with Discover Pacific Tours (22-49027 / 044-320-50320-cell / www.discoverpacifictours.com ) does a GREAT more personalized Whale (Dec.-March-ish) & Dolphin Search tours! Not only do his groups only go out with just 5-8 people but he’s also a Wildlife Photographer so he’ll share his expertise with you if you ask!!! He's available for charters Sat. thru Sun. 700 pesos (e- me at [email protected] if you want a coupon for 10% off!!!). Seeing these magnificent noble giants with either of these guys is an experience that will last a lifetime!!

& Open Air Expeditions Dolphin Searach with a marine biologist & photographer!! GREAT tour!! http://vallartawhales.com/whale.htm

"Vallarta Vicki" Skinner - Doin it Right-in Puerto Vallarta www.DoinItRight.com
 

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -