Four dolphins belonging to the "Tursiops truncatus" species, better known as the bottle-nosed dolphin, were seized by the State Forestry Corps, CITES Central Service and staff of the Rimini Provincial Forest Command. They were at the Rimini dolphinarium, closed to the public since August, following an investigation carried out by the CITES Central Service at the end of July.
He is about to end up run over, his mother saves him
Four dolphinsthe belonging to the species "Tursiops truncatus", better known as nosed dolphin a bottle, they were seized by the State Forestry Corps, CITES Central Service and staff of the Rimini Provincial Forestry Command. They were at the Rimini dolphinarium, closed to the public since August, following an investigation carried out by the CITES Central Service at the end of July.
The intervention, which had seen the synergy of an inter-ministerial Task Force made up of officials from the Ministry of the Environment and the Protection of the Territory and the Sea, veterinary doctors from the Ministry of Health and marine mammal experts, and which was aimed at check compliance with the legislation on zoological gardens, led to the ascertainment of several administrative irregularities, due to which, the State Forestry Corps raised administrative fines of approximately 18.000 euros.
THE MALTRACTING - Among the irregularities found there are theabsence of shelter from the sun and from public view, the lack of an adequate water cooling and cleaning system, as well as the presence of old irregular containment tanks not suitable for allowing adequate movement of the bottlenose dolphins and guaranteeing their physical and mental health, forced to cohabitate in the social group where were inserted.
Dolphins, moreover, they were not on an appropriate medical treatment program veterinarians as evidenced by the absence of tanks designed for this purpose, or used for quarantine or to host females during the period of pregnancy and lactation. In addition to these offenses, explains the Forestale, the crime of animal abuse.
As they denounce LAV, Enpa and Marevivo, the cetaceans were also subjected to a highly invasive level and frequency of sounds caused by concerts and ludic-circus events. And the facility also carried out pseudo pet therapy programs completely prohibited by the law, thus ignoring the health reasons and the prevention of potential risks since dolphins, despite being in captivity, are and remain wild and very dangerous animals - they are certainly not pets - although forced to be trained to please the public. Furthermore, there is no scientific evidence relating to the effectiveness of such projects.
MOVED TO GENOA - The kidnapping, therefore, is only part of a long story. It was ordered by the Judge for Preliminary Investigations of Rimini upon request by the Public Prosecutor's Office of the same Court and provides for the transfer of the four kidnapped dolphins, two females and two males, the youngest about six years old, at the Aquarium of Genoa. As soon as they arrive, the dolphins will be placed in the two curatorial tanks, not visible to the public adjacent to the old exhibition tank to carry out the usual quarantine period.
During this acclimatization period, the veterinary and aquarium staff of the facility will be able to carry out all the veterinary checks necessary to monitor the health of the animals and provide all the care they will need. It is difficult to hypothesize an alternative ending for these animals, whose return to nature would be difficult. Thus, i am faketogether with the other Gardaland dolphins in the umpteenth private structure.
THE NEW RIMINI DELFINARIO - Now the LAV, Enpa and Marevivo associations are appealing to the Mayor of Rimini not to grant any authorization to the construction of a new dolphinarium in Rimini. "We are sure that the Mayor will be able to guarantee legality, even in this delicate phase - say LAV, Enpa and Marevivo - After a long time we have reported unacceptable irregularities in this structure, so much so as to ask for its immediate seizure and its closure definitive, even for the abusive exercise of activities to the public since the structure does not meet the requirements envisaged by the regulations in force on the subject ".
For its part, the structure tries to defend itself, saying that it awaits the authorization from the Municipality to build an additional tank, which it could build since its opening almost 45 years ago. The dolphinaria, however, the associations reiterate, “have no educational value or even less scientific value, as is amply demonstrated by research conducted in numerous countries. We also ask that proceed with the other dolphinaria of Riccione, Fasano and Torvaianica".
WHERE DO THESE DOLPHINS COME FROM? Some are born in captivity, with special breeding programs, others are transferred from one facility to another. And many come stolen directly from nature, as is happening in Taiji these days, in the so-called bay of death. Just yesterday Sea Shepherd denounced thekilling of about 30 adults of pilot whales, while youngsters and puppies were spared the slaughter, but condemned to a death at sea in the absence of the adults of their pod. These barbaric killings are closely related to the dolphins, which in the bay stock up on the strongest and most beautiful specimens to to exhibit for a fee in their facilities.
Roberta Ragni
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