SPCA wrote to Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) in December 2008 following a Straits Times report on the planned importation of Bottlenose dolphins (some of which were originally wild caught from the Solomon Is.). SPCA reiterated its stand on taking animals from the wild (as we had done when lobbying against the importation of a whale shark) and asked RWS to review and reverse its decision to bring in wild caught dolphins for its Marine Life Park. The SPCA believes that the act of taking animals from the wild (endangered or not) is at odds with the spirit of Singapore's Wild Animals & Birds Act, which prohibits the taking of an animals from the wild.

RWS said in their reply that their Marine Life Park was presently being set up and they would be willing to meet to keep the conversation going including the topic of whale sharks. SPCA responded that as much as it appreciated their willingness to meet up, the SPCA would not be changing its stand on the issue of whale sharks and dolphins being taken from the wild as it was a cruel act to do that.

In January 2009, we wrote to the Straits Times Forum Page on the dolphins issue expressing our stand. This was in response to a second article that appeared which related how a Mexican Senator had written to the Singapore government telling of the experience the Mexican govt. had when they had caught dolphins from the wild - that 12 out of 28 had died due to various illnesses. The Senator had urged our govt. to reconsider the implications when evaluating the import permit applications for such animals

On World Animal Day 2009, SPCA took the opportunity to express its objection to the planned importation of the dolphins by Resorts World Sentosa. Specially designed T-shirts and leaflets - 'Say no to dolphins in captivty' were produced to create awareness of the issue at a special price of $7. You can help spread the word by purchasing one from the SPCA or from one of our sales events.

To date, the matter of RWS's importation of dolphins remain unresolved. SPCA will continue advocating against their importation.

How you can help - Show your support for the dolphins and write in to the following to express your stand:
Permanent Secretary Ministry of National Development
Tan Tee How
tan_tee_how@mnd.gov.sg

Permanent Secretary Ministry of Trade and Industry
Ravi Menon
ravi_menon@mti.gov.sg

CEO Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority
Ms Tan Poh Hong
tan_poh_hong@ava.gov.sg

CEO Singapore Tourism Board
Aw Kah Peng (Ms)
kahpeng@stb.gov.sg