Dolphins' bodies found dumped in the Solomon Islands  
Wednesday, October 17th, 2007

Three bottlenose dolphins, including a baby, were dumped in the Solomon Islands near a holding pen, where controversial exports of the mammals were planned.  They were found near a coastal garbage dump near the capital of the Solomom Islands, Honiara.

Though the export company claims they know nothing of the dumpings, Pacific Director of the San Francisco-based organization, Earth Island Institute, says differently.  Lawrence Makili said that there is no other suspect likely.  "No one else is involved in capturing wild dolphins for commercial purposes in the country," he said.  "These dead dolphins are clear evidence of the mistreatment of these humble marine mammals."

The Solomon Islands banned the live dolphin trade export in 2003 after at least nine of 28 bottlenose dolphins they exported to an aquatic park in Mexico died.  The Solomon Island Marine Mammal Education Center and Exporters Ltd., the exporting company, will be airlifting 28 more live dolphins to the United Arab Emirates city of Dubai shortly, to another aquatic park.  They are being held in pens on Gavutu Island in the meantime.  The director of the company, Robert Satu, won a court ruling last December that lifted the ban on exporting dolphins.

Earth Island Institue is seeking a court injuction to stop further dolphin exports.

You can read the latest news alerts on the issue, as well as start your own project or participate in current petitions, by visiting the Earth Island Institute's website, dedicated to Conservation, Preservation, and Restoration.

   

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