The Tribune

FOLLOWING the announcement of a new dolphin experience at Blackbeard’s Cay, one local environmentalist said she “has a huge problem” with the plan.

Sam Duncombe, of Re-Earth, said her organisation has been against dolphin enclosures since the start of the programme in 1909 – explaining the “highly-social” creature should be left in its natural habitat.

“What right do we have to imprison wildlife for money? Because that’s all that is,” she said.

“We are not educating people, or children, about the value of these animals in their own habitats. This is a lesson that needs to be undone. This can’t continue to just go on.”

Ms Duncombe explained that wild female dolphins are usually the target of such facilities because they are easier to train – and when wild dolphins are caught it can “break up families” because of the complex social groups that dolphins live in.

“It’s no different from going into a house and saying, ‘You come with me and let me take your mother too’,” Ms Duncombe said.

“If were going to move forward as a species and embrace all life on earth we need to stop putting animals in prison so that we can go and gawk at them.”

She added: “In my opinion, we shouldn’t have any dolphin encounters in this country... I am so completely and totally 100 per cent against that. I don’t know how to make that stronger.”

More than $5 million has reportedly been invested into redeveloping Blackbeard’s Cay, or Balmoral, which is located off western New Providence opposite the Sandals Royal Bahamian Resort, one of its principals told Tribune Business. It has been closed for redevelopment for just over one year.

The major addition is the dolphin attraction, on top of the previous stingray facility, the principal said.

The revamped Blackbeard’s Cay is set to open by the end of May. Project investor include former politicians Charles Carter and Abner Pinder; Cedric Saunders of Insurance Management; attorney, Craig Roberts; and Samir Andrawos of St Maarten Sightseeing Tours.