Are There Dolphins In The Dominican Republic? (Solved)
The Dominican Republic has more than 55 dolphin species in captivity. The country’s tourism boom has encouraged the expansion of existing dolphinariums and the presentation of new projects using wild-caught dolphins.
Also, according to the 2010 WSPA report, there were more than 260 dolphins registered in 21 facilities and 2 traveling shows in Mexico.
Cuba is the main supplier of dolphins to Mexico and the Dominican Republic, according to a Report on Captive Dolphins in Mexico and the Dominican Republic, conducted by Dr. Yolanda Alaniz Pasini for WSPA.
The dolphinariums that exist in the Dominican Republic are Manatí Park in Bávaro and Ocean World Adventure Park in Cofresí Puerto Plata, both with artificial ponds, and Dolphin Island and Dolphin Explorer with sea pens in Bávaro-Punta Cana.
Manatí Park and Dolphin Island belong to the same company, Parques Tropicales, S.A., Ocean World belong to the company Down Discovery, which has similar activities in the Bahamas.
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Costs at two dolphinariums in the Dominican Republic
Ocean World (Puerto Plata)
The prices for a standard show at Ocean World Puerto Plata, are $69 (adults) and $54 dollars (children 4 to 12 years old), these are shows with dolphins, sea lions, sharks and birds. But, if the national or international tourist wants to interact with a dolphin, the costs are $109 for adults and $89 for children for half an hour in a shallow pool. While swimming with two dolphins at the same time, in a pool of approximately 19 feet long, the cost is $169 dollars.
Dolphin Island Park (Bávaro-Punta Cana)
This dolphinarium, like the previous one, has different entertainment programs such as the “Dolphin Family Experience”, “Dolphin Action”, “Dolphin Royal Swim” and “Encounter with the Sea Lions”.
For example, the “Dolphin Experience”, designed for both children and adults, in which for $120 dollars and an additional $35 dollars with a companion, during 20 minutes of interaction time with a dolphin in the water, a group of up to 12 people can experience handshakes, kisses, pats, among others with the cetacean.
Controversy over captive dolphins in the Dominican Republic
There has always been a great controversy about keeping animals in captivity, especially animals as sensitive as dolphins, not that I like to promote this type of activity with animals in captivity, but I try to be impartial when providing information on this website.
The truth is that dolphins are a tourist attraction for thousands of people who visit the country, but it should be noted that these dolphins are in captivity and this can be harmful to their welfare.
Dolphins are marine mammals of the Odontocete group, the species Tursiops truncatus is the most common and best known of more than 30 species of toothed whales as they are also called, they enjoy great charisma among humans because they are considered intelligent.
However, in captivity, these animals suffer from stress because their nature is not to be confined. When stress is too high, they can be aggressive and suffer from skin and respiratory diseases.
The Dominican Republic is the most visited whale watching destination in the entire Caribbean and is considered one of the best whale watching areas in the world.
The potential for a sustainable eco-tourism practice could be tarnished by the captive numbers of animals such as dolphins.
