Ric In Egypt to Help Dolphins Exported from Taiji

By Ric O’Barry

Campaign Director

Save Japan Dolphins

Earth Island Institute

I am in Hurghada, Egypt, where four dolphins from Taiji were sent to populate a new oceanarium being built here. Unfortunately, five more dolphins have been ordered from Taiji. These dolphins are still in Taiji, and there is a chance that we can stop the export.

Ric in Egypt.

Photography by Kate Tomlinson, Sept. 2010.

The four dolphins here in the desert are in depressing conditions. They are in a small backyard swimming pool. We need to get them out of there, but it is not easy. A local organization HEPCA, that opposes all dolphinariums in Egypt, is working to block the opening of the new facility and to stop the import of wild dolphins from Taiji.

You can see a short video clip from HEPCA on this issue in Egypt in this Youtube video:

Ric checking out new excavation for a dolphin pool in Egypt.

Photography by Kate Tomlinson, Sept. 2010.

I am here to help. I have meetings with many local government officials to urge them to write to the Mayor of Taiji to stop the imports of dolphins.

More details to follow.