Information/English
TOURISM BASED BUSINESS STEALS DOLPHINS FROM THE WILD IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC!
Dear Friends,
An outrageous crime against dolphins has happened in the Dominican Republic, violating international and national laws and slapping the national Authorities in their face!Please take a moment and send your protest (see sample letter below) to the Authorities of this apparently rogue state, which lives on the tourist dollars from innocent visitors.Please see also the Manati-Park-Alert for background information:
Click on:
FOR THE MANATI DOLPHINS !
We urge all (specifically german) tour operators, agents and airlinesto immediately withdraw any affiliation and cancel any associationwith Manati Park !!!In the name of the whales and dolphins, the chiefly peoples ofthe ocean world: Thanks for your support againstsuch criminals - please send your mail right now.
Bibi Diwani (Ph.D.) ECOTERRA Intl. ECOTERRA - FIRST PEOPLES & NATURE FIRST ! SURVIVAL & FREEDOM for PEOPLE & NATURE 24 h EMERGENCY RESPONSE: +254-733-633-000
SAMPLE LETTER:To: Sr. Frank Moya Pons Secretaria de Estado de Medio Ambiente y de Recursos Naturales (Minister of Environment) Fax: 001-809-540-2667 e-mail: agil@medioambiente.gov.do
To:
Sr.Rafael Subervi Bonilla
Secretario de Estado de Turismo (Minister of Tourism)
Fax. 001-809 682-3806
e-mail: rafaelsubervi@sectur.gov.do
used an old and invalid permit, which was issued in 1995, and captured eight bottlenose dolphins in the national waters of the Dominican Republic.Besides the fact that the Dominican Republic ratified several
Honourable Ministers,It came to our attention that in July 2002 the management of Manati Park
international conventions and is thereby obliged to adopt co-operative measures to ensure the total protection of this endangered species, these captures clearly violate the national Dominican Republic Law 64-00 Article 175 promulgated on August 18, 2000, which prohibits the capture of protected species. A separate article in this law states in particular that former permits are not valid, if they are contrary to the principles of the Law.
In addition it is outright shocking to realize that the capture of these dolphins was done in a specifically protected area - a national park - the Parque Nacional del Este. This is clear environmental crime !!! Investigations must be launched immediately, it must be publicly revealed where these eight dolphins are kept at the moment. We demand to know under which conditions the dolphins are kept and expect the criminal culprits to be taken to court and prosecuted.
Apparently it is reported that the management of the Manati Park is still on the hunt for ten more dolphins although it even lacks the proper facility to house these animals. Thereby it is presumed that Manati Park is actively involved in international smuggling of endangered species. The five dolphins kept before by the Manati Tourist Park under KZ-like conditions were brought from Cuba without the documentation required for any such transfer.
We urgently ask you to order that these 5 and the illegally captured 8 dolphins be brought immediately to the Parque Nacional del Este and set free, whereby it must be guaranteed that they are professionally rehabilitated.
It also can no longer be tolerated that Manati Park keeps any endangered species and that any attempt to capture further dolphins meets the full force of the law.The Dominican Republic has made a name for itself in the world of tourism by providing a wide range of activities that bring visitors into contact with natural wonders in a responsible manner.
Captive dolphin programs are clearly incompatible with this honourable and hard-earned reputation.We request your immediate response and will decide upon your reaction, if this case has to be brought officially to the attention of the 12th Conference of the Parties on CITES.Sincerely(your name, location) - please feel free to use parts or the whole sample letter and to add your personal comment. - and please distribute this mail as far and wide as possible !!! THANKS |
