Stealing from the Solomons

What is a live dolphin worth? In the Solomons, rumors abound on the price these animals fetched—from $60 to $400 to the individuals who wrenched them from their life at sea. If they survive transport and “training,” this investment can suddenly be worth $30,000 to $45,000 to the amusement park industry. Potential customers from Thailand and Taiwan purportedly have visited the holding area in the Solomon Islands, possibly to purchase the remaining animals. Because the sale of dolphins is such a lucrative enterprise, the dealers involved aren’t particularly concerned if some of the animals die—which they have. Some of the dolphins reportedly died while in the holding pens awaiting shipment; one, horribly, after being attacked by a crocodile. Mexico’s environmental agency confirmed that at least one dolphin already died at Parque Nizuc.

AWI is distressed that the Mexican authorities allowed the import to take place. The Solomon Islands is not a Party to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), which governs the global wildlife trade, and it is unclear what evidence was used by the authorities in the Solomon Islands to justify scientifically that this ill-advised capture and trade will not be detrimental to the survival of the species in the wild.

This is a perfect example of the potentially devastating consequences when avaricious wildlife dealers are able to exploit loopholes in the oversight system and profit handsomely at the animals’ expense. This wouldn’t be possible without the exorbitant fees uneducated tourists are willing to pay to the aquatic parks that enslave the dolphins. Most of those paying to swim with these dolphins are Americans seeking a transcendental experience without a clue that their pursuit of vacation pleasure is financing such suffering.