5th August 2009
A wild though friendly and sociable bottlenose dolphin which regularly visited the area around the Port of Brisbane in Queensland, Australia has been captured and taken into captivity by Sea World, Gold Coast (located in Main Beach), and we, the public, are calling for this animal to be returned to the wild.
The dolphin, nicknamed Cliffy, is believed to be between three and five years of age and was found earlier this year entangled in fishing lines wrapped around his tail fluke. Sea World took him into their facility to remove the fishing gear and after a six week recuperation period, having regained his strength, the young dolphin was released back to his natural envirnment.
Sea World and the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) who authorised the capture have said the dolphin was having trouble adapting to life back in the wild and claim the dolphin was relying on fishermen to feed him. Oceanic organisations world wide are now questioning this decision and investigating which, if any, other options were considered.
The majority of the people living in the area do not want this dolphin to stay in captivity and agree that Cliffy has the right to be left in the wild where he is able to live a normal, active live. In our seas and oceans thousands of dolphins are injured or killed by fishing gear every year and also face many other dangers from mankind, however this does not mean the option should be to remove from from their natural habitat into a captive environment. Situations like this highlight the immediate need for more effort to be taken to protect them and their habitat in the wild state.
The people undersigned are concerned for the future welfare and protection of Cliffy, and would like to see this dolphin released and The EPA put into place a public educational awareness programme to try to ensure Cliffy's safety and welfare, highlighting to the public the need to give the dolphin his independence and space as a wild animal.
Public awareness and vocal support is vital to help protect animals like these.
The following is a link to related news story.
http://www.marineconnection.org/news/general/captivity_seaworld_australia_cliffy.htm
