Protest planned at Oklahoma dolphinarium following death of inmate

[Guest guest]

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PRESS RELEASE

 

For Immediate Release

Contact:

Kelly Bergeron

(580) 256-5275

 

Robin Reinhart

(918) 583-5996

 

Protest of Oklahoma City Zoo's Aquaticus planned for July 22, 2000

Oklahoma City, Okla., July 19, 2000 - " Dolphin Advocates of Oklahoma " , a

newly formed group of concerned citizens, have announced today the

protest of the Oklahoma City Zoo's Aquaticus - with demonstrations

scheduled for Saturday, July 22. The demonstration is in response to the

death of the latest dolphin at Aquaticus, " Harley " who died on June 7,

2000.

The death of Harley was initially reported as heart failure and later

linked to the Streptococcus zooepidemicus bacteria that had invaded all

of his organs. In 1998, two other dolphins held at the facility, " Sally "

and " Turbo " died from the same illness. This marks a total of six

dolphins to die since the opening of Aquaticus in 1986. The group is

calling for concerned citizens to join in this protest and boycott

Aquaticus. " Dolphin slavery is a billion dollar a year industry, " said

Bert Richard, an attorney with the Oklahoma County public defender's

office. " If profits aren't made, the dolphins would be rehabilitated and

returned to the ocean where they belong. " The goal of the group is to

close Aquaticus and see the dolphins rehabilitated and returned to the

ocean or re-adapted to a more natural environment, such as a natural sea

lagoon, where they are no longer required to perform for food.

 

The dolphins at Aquaticus are leased from Marine Animal Productions in

Gulfport, Mississippi. The zoo pays Marine Animal Productions $16,750 a

month for dolphin shows, including veterinary care, supplies, food and a

trainer.

 

For more information on our new group and the dolphins at the Okla. City

Zoo visit our website at:

http://members.tripod.com/~pamswhales/DolphinAdvocates.html