COVID-19 and Dolphins

Dear Friends and Supporters,

As the COVID-19 pandemic is forcing our world into new ways of life, your help is urgently needed now, more than ever.

As most of you are aware, last year, Dolphin Project, in partnership with the Central Jakarta Forestry Department, established the world’s only permanent dolphin retirement sanctuary for formerly captive dolphins.

Rambo was confiscated from a small, barren tank at the Melka Hotel, where day after day, he performed for paying tourists. Since arriving to the sanctuary, he has been rehabilitating under our watchful team.

Rocky was also forced to endure endless performances for paying tourists before being confiscated from the Melka Hotel. Since arriving to the sanctuary, he too continues to rehabilitate and will never be used for “entertainment” again.

Johnny is an older dolphin who for several years, lived in isolation inside a shallow swimming pool before being confiscated from the Melka Hotel. Since arriving to the sanctuary, he has been healing and benefiting from a proper retirement.

At present, three dolphins, Rocky, Rambo and Johnny are quarantined at the sanctuary, dependent 24/7 on our team of caregivers and medical staff who are also quarantined alongside them. Our team and facility are also ready to respond to any other dolphin rescues/confiscations that may arise during this pandemic.

But without your help, we will face hardship.

As the first permanent dolphin sanctuary in the world, the Bali Dolphin Sanctuary must be a model of success. We cannot lay off employees as they form a full-time staff in a remote part of Bali, responsible for the care and well-being of the dolphins residing here.

While we recognize that collectively, there will be many other priorities that will demand our attention during this time of uncertainty, Dolphin Project is obligated to take care of our responsibilities.

By making a gift of regular support, you’ll ensure we can provide the quality care needed for the health and welfare of the rescued dolphins in our stewardship. It’s fast, simple and offers immediate benefits for the dolphins.

For 50 years, Dolphin Project has prided ourselves on the strength of our supporters. Today, more than ever, I’m asking that we mobilize our forces and come together on behalf of the dolphins.

Ric O’Barry, Founder/Director of Dolphin Project
Dedicated to the welfare of dolphins worldwide since Earth Day 1970

Featured image: Rocky, Rambo and Johnny swim in the waters of the Bali Dolphin Sanctuary, Bali, Indonesia

YOUR HELP HAS NEVER BEEN MORE NEEDED

DONATE TODAY

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.