Dolphin shade canopy damaged in storm, marine park says after criticism

A canopy shielding dolphins from the sun was damaged in a January storm, the Mediterraneo Marine Park has said after criticism from animal rights activists.

Animal welfare charity Marine Connect flagged the lack of shade for the animals in an e-mail to Animal Welfare listing complaints about conditions at the facility.

The marine tourist park has been under scrutiny from animal rights activists since 2022 when three bottlenose dolphins died of lead poisoning.

A comparison of the water quality in August 2025 and in March 2026.

A spokesperson for the Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq park told Times of Malta that the canopy and a seating area for visitors was damaged by gale-force winds during Storm Harry.

“We have ordered a new shading canopy for the pool from abroad and it should be put in place in the coming weeks,” the spokesperson said, adding that the shorter winter days mean the dolphins are not currently exposed to harmful levels of sunlight.

Marine Connection said in its e-mail to Animal Welfare director Joseph John Vella that conditions at the facility were worsening and maintenance was inadequate. It said several issues identified during an inspection last September remained unresolved.

“In some cases, the situation for the dolphins seems to have deteriorated further,” the e-mail reads.

An investigation was carried out last year, between September 17 and 19, by dolphin expert Manuel Garcia Hartmann and the Animal Welfare director and found that the dolphins and a sea lion were being cared for and that the facilities met European standards, although improvements were needed.

The charity raised concerns about the lack of shade in the dolphinarium. The report recommended installing a tented structure over the lagoon to reduce reflectivity. The charity said recent footage showed all shade structures had been removed from the area, leaving the animals in direct sunlight.

The organisation also raised concerns about water quality, saying the water appeared murky, making the dolphins barely visible through the footage.

“This raises serious questions about pool maintenance and water-quality management,” it said.

Addressing the concerns, the park said it carried out daily tests and laboratory analysis.

The activists raised concerns that the water is so murky that the dolphins are barely visible. The park says the algae is beneficial for the dolphins.

“The water looks murky from the drone photos but, up close, it is crystal clear,” the spokesperson said. “The murky water is caused by blooming algae because we use minimal chlorination in our pools. Experts agreed this is beneficial for the dolphins and does not harm them.”

Animal Welfare Commissioner Fleur Abela said the allegations were concerning, particularly as similar issues had been raised previously.

She said it is essential that the conclusions of the inquiry are implemented fully and without delay.

“The commission, together with certain civil society organisations, continue to follow developments closely and expects that any necessary measures are taken to address the situation effectively,” she said. “The commission will continue to monitor the situation closely, particularly to ensure that the conclusions of the inquiry are properly actioned.”

Abela said the commission would continue to advocate for improved conditions and, in the long term, would support exploring options such as relocating the animals to sanctuaries abroad and phasing out such facilities.

In the meantime, she said, the animals must be kept in conditions that respect their welfare and dignity.