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SPCA OPPOSES REPLACEMENT FOR AILING MARINELAND DOLPHIN(New Zealand Press Association Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge)Wellington, March 9 NZPA - Replacing Marineland's ageing dolphins would go against worldwide trends to treat captive mammals more humanely, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) says. Napier's tourist attraction faces doubts about its future as the health of one of its performing dolphins deteriorates. SPCA national chief executive Robyn McDonald said the two dolphins were kept in a restricted area and in conditions highly contrary to what they would experience in the wild. ``It's just not done any more,'' she told NZPA. ``Dolphins are also highly intelligent, nurturing mammals which flourish in a pod, but do not so well if socially isolated.'' Just two together was an unnatural state, Ms McDonald said. Marine parks in other countries were more likely to have captive dolphins in colonies. No matter how many children had appreciated seeing the performing dolphins, they would be better off seeing dolphins swimming offshore, Ms McDonald said. ``Children who see dolphins jump through hoops at an aquarium or similar ... they see something contrived and controlled.'' Ms McDonald said the SPCA would oppose any move to have the dolphins replaced. It also opposed further captivity of other sea creatures at Marineland. The health of 36-year-old dolphin Shona has worsened over the past few days. Marineland manager Gary Macdonald said today the chances of her regaining health were diminishing, although a decision to put the mammal down had not yet been considered. Shona's ailments were caused by old age. Her companion, Kelly, also aged in her mid-30s, had noticed the condition of her poolmate and was keeping in close proximity. Shona had not eaten yesterday until 5pm. Nearly five million people have visited one of Hawke's Bay major tourist attractions since it opened in 1965 . Mr Macdonald has blamed ``political correctness'' for preventing the facility from being able to replace the dolphins. Animal zoos in New Zealand imported animals, yet there appeared to be a lot of sensitivity over importing dolphins, he said. In the past he has investigated importing dolphins bred in other zoos. ``Napier City Council has been told by Government that it is unlikely we will be able to be granted a permit for that,'' he told NZPA. Some Napier City councillors have suggested that the building on Marine Parade be turned into a Maori cultural centre or a wine centre. Mr Macdonald said Marineland was considering a package using other species to keep the tourist attraction viable. ``It is political correctness ... no one seems bothered about the fact we have seals, penguins and all the rest but we just can't have a dolphin,'' he said. The Department of Conservation (DOC) said an application to import a dolphin would ultimately be decided by the minister. The application would first go through the director general of DOC. There was no ``blanket view''. A spokesman for Conservation Minister Chris Carter said yesterday no application had been received by Marineland for importation of a dolphin. NZPA WGT ht ob sl |