Environmental campaigners in Switzerland are pushing for a ban on importing dolphins and whales after two dolphins have died in the space of a week at a fun park.
Last week an eight year old dolphin called Shadow died at the Conny Land fun park in Lipperswil eastern Switzerland after becoming disorientated and distressed.
Initially it was thought that this might be the result of a two day techno rave that had been held within metres of the aquarium. However, on Sunday a second dolphin – a 30-year-old called Chelmers – died with the same symptoms.
The public prosecutor has said that it is possible that the deaths are linked and police are not ruling out the possibility that the dolphins had both been poisoned.
A medical examination of Shadow at the veterinary hospital of the University of Zurich found that the animal was not suffering from any infection and his vital organs were in a normal state. And although the autopsy results won’t be ready for another two to three weeks, animal welfare organisations have claimed that the dolphin died from stress as a result of the 16-hour rave which took place within 50m of the pool.
Jurgen Ortmuller from the Whale and Dolphin Protection Society claimed: "We have reasonable evidence to suggest that the extreme noise levels from the two day techno party severely affected the immune system of the dolphins. Dolphins are very sensitive creatures. We warned against a techno party taking place in this location for these very reasons."
However adding fuel to the poisoning theory, the public prosecutor said the park had received threats last week, though he stressed that these were directed at Conny Land's managers and not the animals. Measures have been taken to prevent other animals from getting hurt.
A total of eight dolphins have died at the park in the last three years and animal welfare organisations Oceancare and Swiss Protection for Animals have for years described as "unacceptable" the living conditions of dolphins at Conny Land.
In 2010, Oceancare pressed charges against the park for an alleged serious violation of the Animal Protection Act, but the case is still pending.
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