Dolphinarium opens: Wonder shows

Four seals and three dolphins splashed around their new home in Dubai Wednesday on their first public appearance.

The performers include three bottle-neck dolphins - Senya, Marfa, and Kysusha brought in from Ukraine, aged between 18 to 22. Dolphins live for up to 35 years.

The four seals - Gosha, Marx, Fila and Lusha - aged between six and 10, were from the Commodore Islands.

The Dh33-million Dubai Dolphinarium at the Creek Park is the first-of-its-kind project in the UAE. Members of media witnessed the first show at the 5,000 sqm sea-water pool on Wednesday.

Three choreographed shows daily start at 10am. Entrance fee starts from Dh20 and goes up to Dh200, depending on seating, age and day. Ahmed Abdul Karim, Director of Public Parks and Horticulture Department at Dubai Municipality, said: “It is important for us to provide entertainment as well as educate the children about conservation. This centre will provide entertainment, education, therapy and research.''

The 19,000-sqm facility will offer dolphin sighting excursions, 10-30 minutes ‘swim with dolphin' programme and a water circus show.

Moreover, dolphin theraphy for special need people will begin this summer, said Karim. “We will receive four dolphins specialised to deal with such cases. They will help provide treatment, especially for kids.''

The Dolphinarium is in talks with various special need schools in Dubai and will bring an expert from Mexico to provide treatment.

When the project was first announced in 2005, animal welfare campaigners raised concerns about the cruelty of keeping dolphins in captivity.

However, Mohammad Al Fardan, head of promotions and recreational office at Dubai Municipality said: “These dolphins are not captured from the sea. They are second generation trained dolphins. There is a lot of cruelty facing marine life like whale and dolphin hunting. We are conserving these animals and educating our children.''

Christopher Richardson, managing director of Dubai Dolphinarium, said that one of the dolphins, Marfa, was actually stuck in fishing net in Ukraine and was a rescued. “Even the four seals were for slaughter. But our marine specialist managed to negotiate saving them.''

The other two dolphins were born in a dolphinarium.

Richardson said the activity revolves around caring for the mammals in the dolphinarium. “4.5 million litres of sea water is filtered eight times a day. We have a trainer, a veterinarian, special management teams and round the clock supervision."

“Dolphins require specialised care but they are friendly mammals and enjoy interacting with the public. They are show offs, especially when it is a full-house.''

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