Dubai: The groundswell of support is growing for the campaign to free Sammy the Shark with readers' comments pouring into the Gulf News website from across the globe.
Readers have also made cut-outs of the 'Free Sammy the Shark' badge and are flaunting it. One reader pasted it on their vehicle and children especially find the campaign very appealing.
"After viewing the whale shark at Atlantis gathering swim patterns, it isn't rocket science," said Jarrod, from Melbourne, Australia. "It just swims in a circle constantly instead of navigating the ocean. The hotel would have known all along they wanted an attraction like a whale shark and made a poor excuse of rescuing it."
Rajesh from Dubai is more forthright: "Those who feel the shark is alright in the aquarium, I request them to lock themselves up in a room for a few years and see," he said.
Then there are pleas: "Please release Sammy, he belongs in the ocean, not in an aquarium. I've seen him, it's far too small in there for him," says Charisse from Dubai.
Neurotic behaviour
"If it is true that the people in Atlantis Hotel are taking care of Sammy, then it's okay, but they should free Sammy. As we know sharks stay in the sea not in an aquarium," said Chona, a Filipino expatriate in Dubai.
"To say the animal is not endangered does not mean it is safe," said Roland, from Dubai. "Very little is known about these animals and being as large as they are they take a lot longer to reach sexual maturity (around 30 years).
"Removing them from the ocean could have a significant effect on the population. Also, they are not being kept in a "safe" environment, they are being kept in a cage, and all animals in cages begin to display neurotic behaviour over time," he added.
Sophie again from Dubai notes that the travel range of a whale shark is much larger than what Atlantis could provide.
"If they are keeping the fish without the proper permits, they should release it," she said. "I would think whale watching trips to the sea could be a very popular activity the Atlantis could provide and charge for if they are worried about the loss of revenue from releasing the shark," she added.
But Abid from Melbourne, Australia, has a different take of the issue.
"I think the whale shark should stay in the Atlantis aquarium as there are lot of sharks in the ocean to play with, especially in Australia."
Rahanash from Sharjah thinks along the same lines. "Since this is not an endangered species and the hotel authorities are taking good care of it, I believe it's okay to stay there," says Rahanash. "Besides, every day, hundreds of such animals are caught, killed and eaten world over... at least one will be safe...at least for the time being. "It's just another publicity stunt... people should concentrate their time, efforts and resources in areas where it is really required."
Ahmad from Dubai says, "Shark in an aquarium, what is the problem? As long as professional people will take care of the shark, then there shouldn't be any issue to worry about."
Michele from Sharjah, a conservationist, believes that the actions and statements of Atlantis are "appalling". The whale shark is being kept in an artificial tank, what data can be gathered on swim patterns and feeding behaviours, she says.
