THE article ('Dolphin Lagoon is too small: SPCA'; Sept 10)
highlighted the concerns of the Society for the Prevention of
Cruelty to Animals over the small-size pools that the dolphins are
now housed in at Underwater World in Sentosa.
The same report quoted the Underwater World as saying that the
main pool area for its six dolphins exceeds international
guidelines and safety standards - and is approved by the Agri-Food
and Veterinary Authority.
While we appreciate that there are studies currently being
carried out to assess the dolphins' behaviour, and that if new
information becomes available, the necessary steps will be taken to
redesign the pool and the activities, stress factors may not always
be evident or clear-cut.
Aside from the pool size, the question one must ask is, how have
these animals benefited from:
All of these have definitely compromised the welfare of the
dolphins, including their emotional well-being.
The sooner we can empathise with the animals, and move away from
the outmoded concept of capturing them for entertainment purposes,
the sooner a respect can be fostered for these intelligent,
sensitive and emotional creatures that are certainly deserving of a
better quality of life.
The SPCA looks forward to the day when no more wild animal shows
are held here.
Deirdre Moss (Ms)
Executive Director
Society for the Prevention of
Cruelty to Animals
