Dolphin deaths, algae-ridden pools, and illegal circus-style shows
Life for male bottlenose dolphins Sol, Ninu, Cha, Rohan, and Luqa is boring at Mediterraneo Marine Park. The deterioration in pool conditions is deeply concerning, yet the Maltese authorities ignore the suffering of these marine mammals, allowing the park to use the dolphins in shows or swim-with and photography interactions with the public for financial gain. However, these circus-style shows place Mediterraneo Marine Park in breach of its zoo licence because Malta’s current Animal Welfare Act defines a ‘circus’ as “any exhibition put on by exhibitors for profit and viewed by the public for entertainment which offers amusement and display, and where animals are made to perform tricks or manoeuvres, which do not reflect their natural behaviour or does not offer any educational value”. The dolphins perform tricks for the paying public, making the park a circus, which is against animal welfare laws in Malta, as under 31C of current regulations, those found operating circus-style shows can have their licence revoked, premises closed, and animals relocated. Marine Connection is pressing for existing laws to be applied to Mediterraneo Marine Park. (image June 2024)
The facility has, over the years, been the subject of animal welfare issues, including when Marine Connection exposed that three of the dolphins had died at Mediterraneo from lead poisoning. The barren pools at the facility are a disgrace; the dolphins are swimming or languishing in water filled with significant algae growth, yet authorities continue to ignore our concerns. Indeed, the Head of Animal Welfare and Principal Veterinary Officer for the Veterinary Regulation Directorate (VRD) advised us that the conditions in which the dolphins are held are ‘adequate’, despite obvious worsening conditions – this is something we cannot tolerate.
Italian-based, Costa Edutainment were involved in managing the park until late 2023, and retains interest in the facility. This being the case, we are urging them to use their involvement to improve the obvious worsening conditions for these dolphins, and consider alternative arrangements for their future. (image April 2025)
