MARINELAND CLOSURE LEAVES THE SEALS' LIVES AT RISKDecember 2010 The official closure of Marineland has been welcomed by many, including SAFE, however now everyone is asking what is to happen to the remaining animals residing at the aging facility.
A new action group, Save Our Seals, has been formed and seeks to have the remaining animals rehomed. SAFE and Save Our Seals are now calling for the estimated fifty animals to be relocated to alternative suitable facilities 
The remaining animals include 5 fur seals, 3 sea lions, 3 gannets, 4 gulls and 2 black shags. They are unable to be reintroduced into the wild as they are either injured and unable to be rehabilitated, or were born in captivity. According to Save Our Seals founder, Chris Redhead, the aged animals, those requiring nursing care or are simply too large that are at most risk of not being suitably rehomed and face euthanasia. "These animals are unlikely to be rehomed," says Chris. "No zoo or wildlife park wants to accommodate these aging animals as their investment for their purchase will be too high." The 400kg sea lion is an example of one that Chris says is unlikely to find a new home. Marineland is owned by the Napier City Council. Napier Mayor Barbara Arnott says the fate of the animals has yet to be decided. "The Council has made no plans for the marine mammals but will be working closely with the Department of Conservation to relocate as appropriate," says Mayor Arnott. She says one million dollars is being invested in new facilities for the National Aquarium (also on Napier's Marine Parade) for the penguins to be housed, and Auckland Zoo is also taking some of the penguins. SAFE believes the existing Marineland facilities are not suitable for the long term care of marine animals. "Marineland is run down, outdated and makeshift in its facilities. The best solution is that more modern facilities are able to take this aging menagerie. SAFE feels the Napier Council should maintain a level of responsibility by committing sufficient funding towards the care of these animals for the rest of their days," says SAFE campaign director Eliot Pryor. "The unfortunate reality for captive animals is that when human priorities change then it is the animals who pay the price. These animals are often unwanted by other institutions or commercial organisations due to cost, care and space requirements," says Eliot. "If the last option is that they be put down, it will be a tragic but an inevitable reality for this industry. Animals in zoos across New Zealand are put down before their time when they become surplus to requirements or too costly tin their upkeep and this reflects the cruel nature of keeping animals in captivity," he says. "All we can ask is that the utmost effort is made by all parties before any decision to euthanise is made." TAKE ACTION
Please write to the Napier Council to ask that it does its utmost to find new homes for the animals and contribute the funds to help relocate them, or commit funds to their care. Email the Mayor Barbara Arnott at barbaraa@napier.govt.nz. You can also email the Department of Conservation at napier-ao@doc.govt.nz. Victory! Marineland closes for goodNapier City Council has announced that it is finally closing Marineland, after a campaign against the keeping of captive marine mammals that lasted over 15 years. 
SAFE welcomes the news that Marineland will finally close. It is undertood that the buildings will not be kept, and ideas are still being sought for the location.
Marineland was never able to cater adequately for the needs of the dolphins, and 71 dolphins died over its 40 year history. The last one, Kelly, died in late 2008 and the options for the facility were always going to be limited as the government would not allow it to acquire more dolphins, which were its main attraction. SAFE now asks that maximum effort is taken to ensure the remaining 50 animals are found suitable homes for them to live out their remaining years. They are not able to be returned to the wild as they were either bred in captivity or rescued after being injured. SAFE recommends these animals are removed from the entertainment industry for good. "After a long campaign it is worth appreciating this as a victory for commonsense and compassion," says SAFE campaign director Eliot Pryor. "SAFE would like to especially thank the many volunteers and concerned locals who participated and helped over the years in this ultimately successful campaign," says Eliot. "New Zealand's Marine Mammal Protection Act now needs to adjusted to ensure that a ban on keeping cetaceans in captivity will become enshrined in law. To that end WSPA, the RNZSPCA, Project Jonah, WDCS and SAFE have formed a coalition to lobby the Government to permanently close the door on the country's captive dolphin industry,: says Eliot. Council expected to announce Marineland's closure
BERNARD CARPINTER - The Dominion Post Napier City Council is expected to announce today that it is finally closing Marineland, which used to be the city's top tourist attraction. 
Marineland, which opened in 1965, has been closed since April last year, because visitor numbers had fallen after the death of the park's last performing dolphin. Mayor Barbara Arnott said yesterday that she would make an announcement about Marineland today. A final shutdown is the most likely subject of her statement. Staff have continued to look after the 50 or so animals - mainly seals, sea lions and penguins - and have hosted some school visits, although the venue's gates are closed to the general public. It costs more than $500,000 a year to operate. The council has made it clear it will eventually close Marineland and has tried to come up with ideas for a new tourist attraction on the Marine Pde site. The final shutdown will probably mean redundancies for at least some staff, and raises the question of how Marineland will dispose of its animals. Most are either captive-bred or have injuries - Marineland has been a sort of hospital for hurt or sick sea creatures - so they would not survive if freed in the wild. The performing dolphins were always the main attraction but the last one, Kelly, died in late 2008 and the council is not allowed to acquire new dolphins. There has been strong public support, shown in petitions and council submissions, for Marineland to be revamped. Tourism operators say its closure to the public has contributed to a decline in visitor numbers. GOVERNMENT SUPPORTS DOLPHIN BAN
A coalition between SAFE, WSPA, the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society and Project Jonah has received a favourable response from the government to no longer keep dolphins in captivity in New Zealand.
The coalition sought the support of dolphin experts and leading environmental and animal protection agencies from around the world, to sign a letter calling on the New Zealand government to amend the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). The letter asked the Minister of Conservation to prohibit capturing, keeping, importing and exporting cetaceans for display or zoological purposes. SAFE is delighted to report that Minister of Conservation, Kate Wilkinson, has confirmed that the New Zealand government does not support the keeping of cetaceans in captivity and is in favour of bringing the MMPA into line with the department's conservation general policy. This policy states: "Whales and dolphins should not be brought into or bred in captivity in New Zealand or exported to be held in captivity, except where this is essential for the conservation management of the species." In her letter, the Minister also stated that a change to the MMPA to prohibit the holding of cetaceans for public display would be considered as part of any wider legislative review. SAFE believes this is fantastic news for cetaceans both here and overseas. "Many countries around the world already have legislation prohibiting the capture, importing and exporting of dolphins. Adding New Zealand's name to this growing list will help strengthen public and government opposition worldwide to this cruel practice," says SAFE campaign director Hans Kriek. September 2008 marked the death of New Zealand's last captive dolphin, Kelly. She was the sole surviving dolphin at Marineland until her tragic death.
LAST DOLPHIN DIES AT MARINELAND After spending over three decades imprisoned inside a small concrete pool Kelly, Marineland's 38-year-old performing dolphin, died last Thursday. Her death marks the end of a sad era in New Zealand's history. Kelly was the last surviving captive dolphin in New Zealand. SAFE will now take action to ensure it never happens again. 
Kelly's death takes the death toll at Marineland to 71 dolphins. This shameful total demonstrates the effects captivity has on these intelligent marine animals. Since Kelly's death Marineland's doors have been shut and the Napier City Council has called for a special public consultation process to decide the future of this outdated marine zoo. "As the Government will not allow Marineland to acquire more dolphins, the possibility of Marineland continuing in its present form seems remote," says SAFE campaign director Hans Kriek "The dolphins were the main attraction and brought in paying customers. The remaining 50 animals, mostly seals and penguins, are unlikely to attract sufficient visitors to ensure a viable financial future for the zoo." The decision not to replace Marineland's dolphins has been welcomed by the New Zealand animal protection movement. "There is compelling evidence that keeping dolphins in captivity is inhumane and cruel," says Hans. "No matter how attractive or spacious an enclosure may appear the fact remains that a captive environment can in no way substitute for the vast ocean that these mammals naturally inhabit and which is essential to meeting their complex behavioural and social needs." "Keeping these wonderful animals in captivity stems from a time when there was little regard for animal welfare and the suffering animals go through in the name of human entertainment. Those dark days are long gone, and it's time to stop the cycle of cruelty by not condemning more dolphins to a miserable life in captivity." 
SAFE has campaigned for many years to bring an end to the captive dolphin industry in New Zealand. "SAFE showed the public the dark side of keeping dolphins in small concrete pools and I believe that our efforts were instrumental in changing public attitudes and now it seems also the Government's." "The death of Kelly almost brings closure to SAFE's campaign in New Zealand but we will continue to urge people to not visit marine parks when travelling overseas," says Hans | 
