The La Paz dolphins are seven (formerly eight) wild dolphins captured off
the coast of Baja Mexico in December 2000. Since then, they have been
confined in what marine mammal scientists have deemed one of the worst
dolphin holding facilities known: the “FINS, Dolphin Learning Center”
facility in La Paz, Mexico. The ongoing fight for the release of these
seven beleaguered dolphins was made all the more urgent last year by the
death of Luna, a female dolphin who succumbed to the stress of her capture
and captivity. The public outcry stemming from this tragedy compelled
Mexican officials to instate a permanent ban on capturing wild dolphins in
January this year.
On March 6, 2002, the Mexican government took one step
further and confiscated the seven remaining dolphins from the FINS
facility. However, what initially appeared to be a sure route to freedom
for the seven dolphins has taken a grim turn: there is now conclusive
evidence that some Mexican officials seek to relocate the dolphins to
another captive facility, rather than releasing them back into their ocean
home, as animal advocates have been hoping for.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Contact Mexican officials and strongly but politely urge them to
rehabilitate and release the remaining seven dolphins from the FINS
facility. Time is of the essence-your faxes and emails are essential in
determining the dolphins’ fates!
- Dr. Victor Lichtinger, Secretary of the Environment:vlichtinger@semarnat.gob.mx
fax: (52) 55-56-28-06-43
- Lic Jose Campillo Garcia, Procurador del Medio Ambiente:jcampillo@correo.profepa.gob.mx
- Lic Diana Ponce Nava, Subprocuradora de Recursos Naturales:dponcenava@correo.profepa.gob.mx
- Soc. Regina Barba Pirez, Coordinadora de Participación Social y
Transparencia: - Presidente Vicente Fox Quesada:
vicentefox@presidencia.gob.mx
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