Thank you Ric O’Barry, on behalf of the dolphins.

On the 4th of October, ACRES was delighted to host a dialogue session about dolphins with Mr. Ric O’Barry, marine mammal specialist and star of the award-winning documentary film “The Cove.”

Over 550 people attended and were treated to an evening of Mr. O’Barry sharing his amazing insights into the lives of dolphins, describing in detail why dolphins simply do not belong in captivity, and inspiring the audience to play a role in helping dolphins and conserving them in the wild

It’s not often that we get the chance to ask questions to someone with so much knowledge, and several members of the audience jumped at the chance to ask Mr. O’Barry their questions and tap into his over 50 years of experience in working with dolphins and his vast know-how in rehabilitating and releasing captive dolphins back into the wild. Many questions centred on the plight of the 25 wild-caught dolphins destined for a lifetime in captivity at Resort World Sentosa’s (RWS) upcoming attraction and how we can help to secure their release and return them to the wild, where they belong. Mr. O’Barry assured the audience that these dolphins can in all likelihood be successfully rehabilitated and released back into the wild.

Our thanks to Ric O’Barry for taking the time to come to Singapore to help the dolphins. But as he says, whenever there are dolphins in need of help, he will be there. And the 25 wild-caught dolphins destined for a lifetime in captivity at Resort World Sentosa’s upcoming attraction certainly need all the help they can get.

You can see video clips from the dialogue session (in 9 parts) on the Razor TV website here.

For more information on how you can help the RWS dolphins go to www.saddestdolphins.com

For media articles click here.

The concert to save the world’s saddest dolphins

The long-awaited “concert to save the world’s saddest dolphins”, organised by ACRES and Young NTUC, finally took place on the 28th of August at Speaker’s Corner, Hong Lim Park! The concert was phenomenal, thanks to the estimated 1000 animal lovers who came down to give the 25 wild-caught dolphins currently being held captive by Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) a voice, and to urge RWS to please let the dolphins go.

After months of planning and anticipation, we breathed a sigh of relief as everything came together and proceeded so smoothly, and even the weather was on our side, with glorious sunshine after days of rain!

For more information, click here.

Be an Animal Benefactor!

For as little as $1 a day, you can be directly responsible for giving a rescued animal a chance at a happy and healthy life. Sponsor a tortoise, turtle, snake or lizard!

More details here.

ACRES calls for RWS to scrap plans to house wild-caught dolphins

ACRES has been in discussions with Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) for the past few years, raising our concerns about their plans to house wild-caught dolphins at their upcoming marine life park attraction on Sentosa.

We regret that RWS has purchased 27 dolphins who were captured from the wild in the Solomon Islands, and we know that 2 of them have since tragically died.

More details here.

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Should dolphins be captured from the wild for marine parks?

Dolphins are magnificent, sentient creatures. They are so intelligent and display such complex emotions that some scientists have even suggested they should be classed as “persons.” Yet they continue to suffer enormously at the hands of humans and are still ruthlessly exploited in the name of “entertainment.”

Find out why dolphins belong in the wild, and why the trade in wild-caught dolphins for marine parks must stop.

Read more here.

More progress for zoo animal welfare in Malaysia!

September 2011 has seen even more progress being made in improving zoo animal welfare in Malaysia. On the 9th of September, officials from PERHILITAN (the Wildlife and National Parks Department) in Johor raided Danga Bay Petting Zoo, seizing 132 animals. PERHILITAN’S Deputy Director-General, Dr. Zaaba Zainal Abidin, said that the permit and special license for the wildlife at the zoo expired in May 2010 and the permit was not renewed by PERHILITAN as the owner did not adhere to the rules and regulations according to the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010. He said the operator of the zoo did not follow the standard specifications for the zoo's surroundings and enclosures.

At Johor Zoo, on the 8th of September five animals were confiscated by PERHILITAN- a tiger, two orang utans and two young elephants. Dr Zaaba Zainol Abidin said “The zoo has failed to follow the standard regulations and requirements set by the department to provide better and proper living conditions for the animals.”

ACRES has, on several occasions, raised our grave concerns over the appalling conditions the animals were housed in at Danga Bay Petting Zoo and the unsuitable living conditions for many of the animals at Johor Zoo, and we are delighted that these animals have been removed from these places. ACRES congratulates PERHILITAN for taking action.

Read more about the confiscation of animals at Danga Bay Petting Zoo here.

Read more about the confiscation of animals at Johor Zoo here.

Read about the previous closure of Saleng Zoo here.