Gambit, one of the bottlenose dolphins at uShaka Marine World, South Africa, has died. Thought to be around 48 years of age, he was one of 10 dolphins at the facility which either perform in shows twice daily for the paying spectators at the Dolphin Stadium ( currently closed due to COVID-19) or are held in a separate lagoon-style tank, taking part in the ‘up close and personal encounters’ with the public.
The Southern Africa Tourism Services Association (SATSA), published a report last year based on three years of research that it would no longer suggest tourist attraction facilities to international guests which have questionable animal practices -uShaka Marine World is one of the facilities. This is part of SATSA’s plan to push for ethical tourism in the country, part of the policies it deems unethical include performing dolphins and interacting with them. The dolphin stadium which can hold up to 1200 people is part of the 40-acre theme park which opened in 2004.
