Dear Source:
A counter proposal to Coral World’s plans for a Dolphin Habitat has been proposed. The author stated that he could accept Coral World’s plan to bring dolphins to St. Thomas if they were the offspring of dolphins born in human care who could not survive in the wild. The author notes that this “counter-proposal” would still result in construction and other jobs, would still bring in additional revenues, and would satisfy most people.
We wholeheartedly agree! Coral World has stated repeatedly throughout the permitting process both local and federal that our dolphins will all be born in human care. No dolphins coming to Coral World will be the result of wild-capture. We strongly oppose the activities in Taiji, Japan.
Coral World has been working on this project since November 2010. Some of the animals that will come to Coral World have been born in human care since then to dolphins themselves born in human care. Our staff has known them since birth. Others, while a bit older, have been receiving the loving care of other trainers since their birth in human care. These animals have only known this protected life and could not survive in the wild. A few moments talking with Coral World aquarists and animal trainers will reveal their inspiring passion for the animals in their care, for sharing their knowledge about the animals and the marine ecosystem with visitors, and for mentoring local children.
Furthermore, the Coral World dolphins will live in a natural sea pen as their habitat. It is ironic that proponents of natural sea pens in other instances, for example those urging the relocation of Sea World’s orcas from concrete tanks to sea pens, are opposing the construction of a sea pen here in St. Thomas. Everything we humans do has some environmental impact. Our focus should be on balancing the benefits of a project against the impact on the environment. Coral World’s dolphin habitat has been designed to be spacious and durable and to have minimal impact on the environment. We have incorporated energy efficiency, solar power, and water conservation as key features of the Education Center.
At Coral World, we practice conservation and educate the public about safeguarding the environment. We are confident that our dolphin project has achieved the best possible balance between economic and educational benefits on the one hand and animal and environmental concerns on the other. We hope your readers will attend the Army Corps of Engineers meeting on Thursday, September 25, at 6:00 pm at the Turnbull Library to voice their support or submit written comments.
Lee Kellar, St. Thomas
