Photo courtesy of Helene O'Barry

Infuriating dolphin advocates worldwide, longtime and recently re-elected Mayor Jorge Soria of Iquique, Chile, is once again placing the full support of his office behind proposed plans to establish a swim-with-dolphins/dolphin therapy facility in Iquique. In spite of international condemnation and repeated failures in the past to develop a successful captive dolphin program, Soria contends that this venture would bring tourists and, more importantly, their money to the city.

According to an article published by La Tercera in December 2004, the city of Iquique has purchased 3.5 hectares from a former whaling station and intends to build a large aquarium complex to house captive dolphin displays and dolphin- and sea lion-assisted therapy programs. While the number and means of acquiring the marine mammals have not yet been disclosed, in the past, Soria and his associates have attempted to snare dolphins along Iquique's coast, as well as import animals from Cuba and Mexico.

Chile's record of keeping captive dolphins is grim. Of the twelve dolphins that have been imported in the past, all died shortly after their arrival.

Perhaps the darkest chapter in Iquique's history with captive dolphins occurred in 1995 when Mayor Soria supported the import of two wild-caught dolphins from Cuba. The dolphins were slated for public exhibition but due to the apparent lack of experience of their appointed caretaker, one of the dolphins died almost immediately and the second dolphin, named “Menique”, was left to languish in a dirty swimming pool with no filtration system. Menique began to decline and stopped eating altogether. Upon international outcry and intense negotiation, an American wildlife rehabilitator was able to gain custody of this dying dolphin and take him back to Cuba for treatment. Sadly, Menique was too far gone and died before he could be released back into the wild.

The aquarium at Iquique currently has two young sea lions in its care, supposedly acquired during a rescue mission in the wild. They've been trained to interact with humans for so-called sea lion-assisted therapy programs. Feeling confident in the wake of his recent re-election and having allies well-positioned in the city government, Mayor Soria is once again moving full steam ahead with his plans to open a swim-with-dolphins/dolphin-assisted therapy facility in Iquique with no regard for the dolphins' welfare or the international consequences.

WSPA asks each of its members to send a letter to protest the mayor and this captive facility in Iquique. Express your support of Chile's previous decision to deny permits for dolphin imports and captures. Ask the authorities for a full disclosure of any dolphin import permits issued for Iquique as well as any legislation that may be in place to ensure the dolphins' welfare.

Send your letters to:

Felipe Sandoval
Subsecretario de Pesca
Ministerio de Economia
Gobierno de Chile
Fax: 011-563-250-2756
Email: Fsandoval@subpesca.cl

Sr. Ignacio Walker Prieto
Ministro de Relaciones Exteriores
Fax: 011-562-673-215  
Email: Info@minrel.gov.cl

Sr. Italo Campodonico
Subsecretaria de Pesca
Email: icampodo@subpesca.cl

Mayor Jorge Soria
Email: oficinapartes@iqqimi.cl