Bali Rescue Dolphins Thriving

Rocky, Rambo and Johnny, our three rescued dolphins, continue to thrive in the restorative waters of the Umah Lumba Rehabilitation, Release and Retirement Center in West Bali, Indonesia, the first ever permanent dolphin rehabilitation, release and retirement facility for formerly captive dolphins. The energetic bottlenose dolphins spend their days continuing to rehabilitate, exploring the depths of their seapen and chasing and eating live fish.

Compare that to their incarceration in a concrete tank at the now-shuttered Melka Excelsior Hotel, where for years, after being caught from the wild waters of the Java Sea, they were exploited to entertain paying tourists. Since their relocation to the Umah Lumba Center, they have continued to heal and hone their natural skills – 50 million years in the making!

FROM THIS:

Rocky, Rambo and Johnny were routinely exploited at the now-shuttered Melka Excelsior Hotel, Bali, Indonesia. Credit: DolphinProject.com

TO THIS: 

Rocky, Rambo and Johnny swim in the waters of the Umah Lumba Center, Bali, Indonesia. Credit: Pepe Arcos

Lately, it’s been a challenge to closely monitor their behaviors, simply because Rocky, Rambo and Johnny spend so much time in deep water. When we explore their seapen, it’s not difficult to understand why.

Their seapen is an impressive 13 meters deep, filled with colorful corals and endless species of fishes, crabs, boxing shrimps and other amazing marine species, all of which are thriving at the facility. Pufferfish and even barracudas are all seen within and around the Umah Lumba Center. This vast array of life contributes to the vibrant ecosystem that has developed since we constructed the Center. Often, we see the dolphins playing with, and chasing the different species, which is truly beautiful to witness.

Johnny swims amongst fish at the Umah Lumba Center, Bali, Indonesia. Credit: DolphinProject.com​​

Our 24/7 team is in the process of conducting a meticulous evaluation of our three boys to determine their releasability. Should any of the dolphins be candidates for release, they will be taken to Camp Lumba Lumba Readaptation and Release Center in Karimun Jawa, the world’s first permanent facility dedicated to the rehabilitation and release of dolphins. The mammals will then be prepared for return into their home range. The location was specifically chosen because the majority of dolphins were captured from the Karimunjawa National Park, and releasing them here would offer a good chance for the mammals to reunite with their family pods. Should any of the dolphins be deemed unreleasable, they can retire in healing and safety at the Umah Lumba Center, living out the rest of their lives in peace and dignity. In the interim, time spent at the sanctuary is the perfect preparation for a possible future release.

Despite the ongoing, global assault of the COVID-19 pandemic, thanks to your support, we are continuing to care for our rescued dolphins 24/7 while keeping the Umah Lumba Center running seamlessly. Please consider becoming a monthly supporter to ensure that Johnny, Rocky and Rambo continue to receive the best care possible, and enjoy their lives free from captive exploitation.

Rocky torpedoes through the healing waters of the Umah Lumba Dolphin Center, Bali, Indonesia. Credit: DolphinProject.com

Featured image: Rocky, Rambo and Johnny thrive at the Umah Lumba Center, Bali, Indonesia. Credit: DolphinProject.com

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The Umah Lumba Rehabilitation, Release and Retirement Center and Camp Lumba Lumba Readaptation and Release Center form an incredible partnership with the Ministry of Environment and Forestry of the Republic of Indonesia, BKSDA Bali, Dolphin Project, Jakarta Animal Aid Network, Karimunjawa National Park and the West Bali National Park. Together, we built Umah Lumba, the world’s only permanent dolphin rehabilitation, release and retirement facility for previously captive dolphins and Camp Lumba Lumba, the world’s first permanent facility dedicated to the readaptation and release of dolphins in Kemujan, Karimun Jawa. Ric O’Barry, Founder/Director of Dolphin Project has pioneered readaptation for captive dolphins and has released a number of dolphins into the wild.