€4m upgrading for marine park

Mediterraneo Marine Park and its new partner, Portugal's Mundo Aquatico, will be investing some €4 million to upgrade the Bahar ic-Caghaq park over the next six months.

The park has already undergone structural alterations over the past months, including the introduction of state-of-the-art filtration systems for sea water that cost €1 million.

Six new bottleneck dolphins that were caught in Cuba, aged between three and five years and which have been in that country for two years, were brought to the park recently. They are now in quarantine.

Budvan, the only surviving dolphin from the park's original three, is occupying another pool.

The cooperation between Mediterranean and Mundo Aquatico, operators of Zoomarine parks, has seen an input in terms of finance and know-how.

Zoomarine director Pedro Magalhaes has come over to supervise the upgrading which apart from the filtration system includes a general overhaul of the park's facilities.

Mr Megalhaes told media representatives during a tour to the facility yesterday that Zoomarine's philosophy was based on conservation and environmental education.

"In the environment of the newly enhanced pool, we provide the public with a unique opportunity to enter and share the world of these very special animals.

"Of equal importance, guests learn about the environmental problems dolphins are facing throughout the world," Mr Megalhaes said.

He said that observing and learning about these animals encouraged appreciation for all wildlife.

Referring to criticism by environmental groups about keeping dolphins in captivity, Mediterraneo director Patrick Vella said the dolphins were kept in very good condition and in line with CITES regulations, the international convention on trade of endangered species.

He said having dolphins in such parks would enable the public to learn more about them and their behaviour.

"If dolphins were found only in the wild, many people would not have the opportunity to see one in their lifetime," Mr Vella said.

Mediterraneo will soon launch a guided programme, supervised by experienced professionals in mammal training, biology and medical care.

The park had closed earlier this year for the structural works and reopened last month. It will not be closed again during the upgrading works.

Following the importation of the six dolphins, the Biological Conservation Research Foundation said Malta should not import or export any wild marine mammals or any other vulnerable and protected species.

Other environment organisations charged that the dolphins had been "kidnapped" from their families to be imprisoned for life in a concrete pool to perform silly tricks for the amusement of a few.