Dolphin deaths, algae-ridden pools, and illegal circus-style shows
– why are authorities not listening?
Bottlenose dolphins Sol, Ninu, Cha, Rohan, and Luqa are forced to perform in shows or endure swim-with and photography interactions with the public. These circus-style shows place Mediterraneo Marine Park in breach of its current zoo licence, as well as the country’s animal welfare laws.
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”. Further, Part X A (Circuses) 31 A of the Act states: “It shall not be lawful for any person to use animals for performances, exhibitions, shows or for the training thereof in circuses”. The fact that the dolphins at Mediterraneo Marine Park perform tricks in shows and interact with the paying public, makes the park a circus by definition, which is against the current animal welfare laws in Malta.
However, this isn’t the first time that Mediterraneo Marine Park has been the subject of animal welfare issues. In 2021, three female dolphins mysteriously disappeared from public view at the park. Having been advised that the animals had been moved to a facility in Spain, after probing the authorities of both Spain and Malta, Marine Connection discovered that the dolphins had died at Mediterraneo from lead poisoning. It’s suspected the source of the lead was diving weight bags. The deterioration in pool conditions for the five dolphins at the park is deeply concerning. The fact that Mediterraneo Marine Park continues to operate suggests the authorities are turning a blind eye to these animal welfare issues, which we cannot tolerate. Marine Connection is now pushing for the existing laws to be applied to Mediterraneo Marine Park in respect of their breach. Under 31 C of current regulations, those found operating a circus can have their licence revoked, premises closed, and animals relocated.
Following continued calls from Marine Connection to have independent water tests of the pools at Mediterraneo undertaken, the Head of Animal Welfare and Principal Veterinary Officer for the Veterinary Regulation Directorate in Malta has responded advising that the dolphins are ‘adequately’ kept by the park and that regular checks, including water quality, are made by officials to verify their welfare. The data on water quality is usually supplied by a local vet, however, due to our ongoing campaign, officials have taken water samples to a private lab confirming results were ‘good’. We have contacted VRD again requesting sight of the results of the independent water tests, and await their response.
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