Abandoned Dolphins Left to Starve in Bahamas

Updated 5/10/24:

The Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources has advised that all five remaining dolphins were removed from Blackbeard’s Cay/Balmoral Island.

The efforts to remove Fiona, Harry, Diamond, Justice and Pigeon took place between last night and this morning, according to a statement.

The dolphins have been transported to Atlantis’ Animal Care facility for further observation, medical attention and continued care.

Source: Blackbeard’s Cay dolphin rescue complete – 5 taken to Atlantis care facility

At an abandoned captive dolphin amusement park at Blackbeard Cay, aka Balmoral Island, Nassau, Bahamas, eight dolphins have died and five remain abandoned and starving.

Dolphin Project was alerted to the news of an abandoned captive dolphin facility on Balmoral Island. Closed during the COVID pandemic, the tourist attraction never re-opened and the dolphins were left in limbo.

A few days later, with an invitation to inspect the dolphins and the abandoned facility by the lone caretaker and dolphin trainer, Luis Arturo Hernandez, Dolphin Project’s Founder/Director, Ric O’Barry, was able to witness the conditions firsthand. Any one of his grievous observations (of which most were confirmed by Hernandez) could be considered animal abuse. And, any one of them could have been responsible for the high number of dolphin deaths.

These include:

• Lack of electricity or running water on the property — a small generator on-site hasn’t been working for the past six months.
• The facility does not have the ability to keep the dolphins’ fish frozen or even cool, nor is there any sanitary fish preparation area.
• Many bottles of various medications designated for the dolphins are empty. Several others had expired as far back as 2020.
• The dolphins are all seriously underweight, suffering from malnutrition and dehydration. As dolphins get their hydration from fish, if they are not being fed enough, they are also not getting enough water. In captivity, fluids are often supplemented via ice chips, but as there is no power, there is no ice.
• The infrastructure is in complete disrepair. The fences in the dolphins’ sea pen has large holes, torn in several spots. The property is littered with garbage. There is no protection from weather (including hurricanes) and is exposed to tourists.
• There is only one full-time caretaker to feed the dolphins. There is no attending veterinarian and no security.
• There is no enrichment for the dolphins, nor is there any shade in their enclosure. The water in which they are being kept is extremely shallow (two meters at the deepest point).

During this visit, Mr. Hernandez contacted the consulting veterinarian in Mexico, Dr. Jose Luis Solorzano, who told O’Barry, amongst other things that he “…reduced the dolphins’ food by 50% because the weather is warmer now.” Based on our observations, it would appear that the dolphins may be receiving even less. Dolphin Project cannot confirm if Dr. Solorzana is licensed to practice veterinary medicine in the Bahamas.

On invitation, Ric O’Barry visits Balmoral Island, Nassau, Bahamas where five dolphins have been abandoned. Credit: DolphinProject.com

“The five survivors are in a world of trouble from everything I have seen. From critical food (and water) deprivation to lack of critically needed shade, and electricity, from potential hazards within the dolphins’ enclosures to lack of proper medical care, it would be more appropriate to state that survivors are living a nightmare.” ~ Ric O’Barry

Background

In 2013, eight captive dolphins were imported from Honduras for a planned swim-with-dolphins tourist attraction. Environmental activist Sam Duncombe and her Bahamian environmental organization reEarth sued the government one year later and won. Part of the judgment called for moving the dolphins to a suitable location, one that wasn’t exposed to potential hurricanes and curious tourists. Yet nothing was done. From these original eight mammals, there were five offspring born, for a total of 13 dolphins. From 2018 until the present, a staggering eight dolphins died, five of which perished in 2023 alone. At least three of the deaths were caused by starvation.

Eight dolphins dead from an original 13, representing a 61% mortality. Credit: DolphinProject.com

A generator sits broken since August 2023. At the time of this writing, there is no power. Credit: DolphinProject.com

Semi-frozen open boxes of fish sit in a freezer with no power. Credit: DolphinProject.com

“The government of the Bahamas has a unique opportunity to ”get ahead” of the horrifying and heartbreaking reality surrounding the deaths of one of the world’s most beloved animals. This is a chance to take decisive action and demonstrate commitment to upholding animal welfare standards, thereby restoring trust and goodwill both locally and internationally.” ~ Sam Duncombe

Present

Due to the horrific situation presently taking place on Balmoral Island, Dolphin Project is asking the Bahamian government to immediately implement life-saving interventions for the remaining five dolphins, including:

• Medically evaluating and treating the dolphins where appropriate, as well as stabilizing their nutrition and hydration by an independent, third party veterinarian.
• Immediately hiring more qualified staff trained in marine mammal husbandry, site maintenance and security. (Dolphin Project has a portable generator standing by in Nassau to get the freezers up and running.)
• Creating shade for the five dolphins is imperative (summer is brutal, especially in shallow water) and creating a buffer zone to restrict boat traffic within 50 meters of the sea pens.
• Adding enrichment items to the dolphin pens (i.e., volleyballs, etc.)

On April 10, Duncombe met with the Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources,The Honorable Jomo Campbell, where she shared her concerns regarding the dolphins. She communicated that Dolphin Project would fund getting the mammals’ health up to speed. Five days later, the Minister called her, assuring that he would grant Dolphin Project access to provide immediate and critical assistance. When Duncombe attempted to follow up, all communications from the government went silent.

The facility is in a state of total disrepair. Credit: DolphinProject.com

Under Bahamian laws, starving an animal to death constitutes abuse, as does withholding water, medical attention, medication, and proper shelter, as outlined by the Animal Control and Protection Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and the Regulations for Captive Dolphins. These laws should be strictly enforced to ensure the welfare of the animals.

A unique opportunity exists in the Bahamas to create the first dolphin sanctuary/retirement facility in the Americas. With a world view evolving against the keeping of dolphins for entertainment, the Bahamas can be a leader in creating a facility where dolphins can live out the rest of their lives in peace and dignity without being exploited to death.

Dolphin Project has been doing this very work for over 54 years. Currently, in partnership with the Indonesian government, we operate the world’s only permanent dolphin re-adaptation and retirement and center in Bali. Dolphin Project has worked on dolphin rescue, rehabilitation and re-adaptation projects in the United States, South Korea, Indonesia, Brazil, Columbia, Nicaragua, Guatemala and Haiti.

Featured image: Abandoned dolphins at Balmoral Island, Nassau, Bahamas. Credit: DolphinProject.com