Underwater World Singapore criticised for ‘sub-standard’ animal living conditions

LAURA ELIZABETH PHILOMIN Today Online 27 Oct 14;

SINGAPORE — Animal welfare groups have called on Underwater World Singapore (UWS) to cease all animal shows and have called on the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) to respond, noting that UWS appeared to have violated laws by making an injured dolphin perform in shows.

In its 30-page report, Wildlife Watchers (Singapore) — in collaboration with Sea Shepard Conservation Society (SSCS) — also questioned the health conditions of the dolphins and the welfare of the otters housed in Dolphin Lagoon and Underwater World Singapore respectively.

“WW (SG), SSCS and the supporting groups are concerned about the future of the animals housed in UWS and Dolphin Lagoon, and is doubtful of its capabilities to maintain the animals’ physical and psychological health with proper husbandry, medical care and ethical conservation efforts,” said the report.

Tipped off by members of the public, WW (SG) and SSCS subsequently initiated their own investigations, conducted on two separate occasions in July and August, which culminated in the report released today (Oct 27).

Pictures include in the report showed dolphins housed in “degrading conditions” where corrosion of pool beams were clearly visible to the audience. Pictures also showed an adult dolphin named Han with a visible infection on the top of her name and another wound on her bottom left jaw.

The report also said high volume of music and noise generated by the audience during the shows were causing stress to the animals. An un-named newborn calf and its mother, Pan, were housed in the same pool throughout the shows and were observed swimming in repeated circular motions.

“The health of the dolphins held captive in Dolphin Lagoon are in appalling and deteriorating conditions which clearly show that adequate care of these animals have not been not met,” the report said. “The display and usage of sick/injured animals for shows is in clear violation of the law as well as contradicts UWS’ stand on conservation and education.”

In the course of their investigation, the groups also found the otters in UWS housed in “sub-standard conditions, indicating an obvious lack of welfare and serves no education and conservational purpose.” Investigations found three otters were separated in two enclosures with a lone otter in a single enclosure.

“It is well established that this otter is a sociable animal; it is not recommended or considered ever acceptable to keep a lone animal,” said the report.

Adding that the otters’ enclosures were below the minimal standard in animal welfare requirements, the report said: “The otters are only given small exhibition spaces with insufficient sheltered area and a small shallow pool with little water in each enclosure in which … disallows the natural behaviour of otters diving and swimming to hunt for their food as well as bonding through play with other otters in the family group.”

In addition to ceasing the animal shows, the list of recommendations WW (SG) included in the report called for AVA to respond to UWS’ violations of the Animals and Birds (Pet Shop and Exhibition) Rules 2004.

Other suggestions also include immediately starting a rehabilitation-and-release programme for all dolphins housed in Dolphin Lagoon back into the wild, improve housing and husbandry for the otters, as well as for UWS to indicate future plans for the newborn dolphin calf and its mother.

Responding to TODAY’s query, Underwater World Singapore has clarified that the dolphin mentioned in the report was diagnosed with a form of non-contagious skin cancer and is being treated by a marine mammal veterinarian.

Health checks are conducted regularly and the results show that, apart from the cancer, which is being specifically treated, the dolphin is generally in good health,” said a UWS spokesperson, adding that it does not participate in any performance or programme.

UWS also said its trainers have minimised the appearance of the dolphin in public at the main pool but have no intention of isolating it from interacting with other dolphins, given their active and friendly nature.

Dolphins at Underwater World in 'satisfactory' condition: AVA
Channel NewsAsia 27 Oct 14;

SINGAPORE: Underwater World Singapore (UWS) responded to allegations by animal welfare groups that their animals were kept in "sub-standard" conditions, saying on Monday (Oct 27) that a pink dolphin at Dolphin Lagoon was actually suffering from a non-transmissable form of skin cancer.

"The dolphin mentioned in the Wildlife Watchers’ report was diagnosed skin cancer, which is not transmissible, and is being treated by our marine mammal veterinarian," said a spokesperson from Underwater World Singapore.

"It is under the attentive care of our team of marine mammal trainers," added the spokesperson. "Health checks are conducted regularly and the results show that, apart from the cancer, which is being specifically treated, the dolphin is generally in good health."

Underwater World Singapore also said that appearance of the dolphin in public at the main pool was "minimised" and that it does not participate in any performance or programme. The public are informed of its condition whenever they are asked about it, UWS added.

The oceanarium also said that the dolphin still enjoys playing with the other dolphins and is not being isolated from the others.

Responding to comments that their otters are being kept in "sub-standard conditions", Underwater World Sentosa said it offers the otters the "opportunity to explore different stimuli in different enclosures at both the front and the back of the house".

"Our trainers observe the otters closely and frequently, and vary the enrichment activities according to the otters' interest," added the oceanarium. "All enrichment items provided and the method of delivery are reviewed to make sure that our otters interact safely and positively with their enrichment toys."

The facility complies with the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority's (AVA) licensing conditions for animal conditions, the spokesperson added.

The spokesperson was, however, not able to comment on the other dolphins and animals mentioned in a report by Wildlife Watcher (Singapore) and Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.

"SUB-STANDARD CONDITIONS" FOR ANIMALS

Animal welfare groups Wildlife Watcher (Singapore) and Sea Shepherd Conservation Society on Sunday published a report, detailing the "appalling" health of dolphins held at the Dolphin Lagoon as well as "sub-standard" conditions of other animals at Underwater World Singapore.

The report featured seven points detailing the investigations, including that of infrastructure degradation and wounds seen on the dolphins itself. Of the former, the report stated that "corrosion of pool beams were visible from audience's viewpoint".

As for the health of the dolphins, the report noted: "One of the adult female dolphin named 'Han' has a visible infection on top of her head and another distinct wound on the left side of her bottom jaw. From pictures take in July and August, both injuries show no signs of improvement and appear to have worsened over time.

"Our investigators also found fresh scratch marks on another adult dolphin, suspected to be bite marks inflicted by other dolphins kept together in the facility," the report stated.

Other points in the report included dolphins and fur seals made to display and perform "unnatural acts for entertainment", while the Asian Small-clawed Otters were housed in "sub-standard conditions, indicating an obvious lack of welfare".

Members from both groups looked into the conditions and welfare of the pink dolphins at the Lagoon in July and August by sitting in on programmes featuring the animals. Through these sessions, they logged seven hours of observation, videos and photos during the two days - Jul 23 and Aug 17, 2014 - they were at the tourists attractions on Sentosa.

DOLPHINS IN "SATISFACTORY" CONDITION: AVA

AVA said in a statement that following feedback from Wildlife Watcher, it inspected UWS and found the dolphins to be in "satisfactory condition". It noted that one of the dolphins is being treated for non-contagious skin cancer and that it is not used for animal performances.

An AVA spokesperson added that UWS is required to comply with AVA's licensing conditions and guidelines to ensure animal welfare and professional standards for the accomodation, management and acquisition of animals.

"APPALLED AT CONDITIONS": ACRES

Commenting on the findings, ACRES Chief Executive Louis Ng said ACRES is "appalled by the conditions of the dolphins at Dolphin Lagoon". He added that it supports the campaign by Wildlife Watcher (Singapore).

"Dolphins clearly do not do well in captivity and belong in the vast open oceans. The global movement to end the keeping of dolphins in captivity is growing. ACRES hopes that companies in Singapore will make a moral and ethical decision to end the confinement of dolphins in captivity.”

Mr Ng also cited Switzerland as an example, noting that the keeping of dolphins or whales in zoos or waterparks will end, while India, too, banned the keeping of cetaceans, or marine mammals, in captivity.

- CNA/kk

Pink dolphin at Underwater World Singapore has non-contagious skin cancer
Straits Times 27 Oct 14;

One of the pink dolphins at Underwater World Singapore, diagnosed with a non-contagious form of skin cancer. -- PHOTO: WILDLIFE WATCHERS AND SEA SHEPHARD CONSERVATION SOCIETY

BY AUDREY TAN
SINGAPORE - A pink dolphin kept at Underwater World Singapore is suffering from a non-contagious form of skin cancer, the attraction's spokesman has clarified.

"Health checks are conducted regularly and the results show that, apart from the cancer, which is being specifically treated, the dolphin is generally in good health," she told The Straits Times. It is now being treated by a marine mammal veterinarian.

The spokesman was responding to concerns raised by a local wildlife group here about the welfare of the pink dolphins kept at Underwater World Singapore. One of them - a female dolphin called Han - had a "visible head and mouth injury with skin problem", the wildlife group had charged in a 31-page report.


Other findings mentioned in the report included the rusty enclosures, dolphins being made to perform unnatural acts, such as balancing a basketball on its snout, and the marine mammals being made to perform to excessively loud music.

These observations were made after investigators from the group, Wildlife Watcher, together with representatives from global environmental group Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, bought tickets to attend two shows in July and August.

The report was sent to the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) and Haw Par Corp - the organisation that manages Underwater World Singapore - in early October.

The AVA told The Straits Times that it has inspected the facility and "found the dolphins to be in satisfactory condition".

Indo-Pacific humpbacked dolphins, or pink dolphins, are listed in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. This means the animals are threatened with extinction and that commercial international trade in them is prohibited.

UWS rebuts wildlife group’s report on health, treatment of dolphins
LAURA ELIZABETH PHILOMIN Today Online 28 Oct 14;

SINGAPORE — A wildlife group here recently released a 30-page dossier — complete with pictures of a dolphin with skin problems, corroded play pens and otters being housed in small enclosures with shallow pools — alleging that the health of the pink dolphins at Underwater World Singapore (UWS) was “appalling and deteriorating” and that sick or injured animals were being exhibited or used for shows, which are against the law.

Their allegations were rejected by UWS, which clarified that the sick dolphin was suffering from skin cancer and was being treated by its marine mammal veterinarian. Given that the condition is not transmissible, the trainers decided not to isolate the sick dolphin and to instead allow it to play with the other dolphins in the main pool. The dolphin does not participate in any performances or programmes, UWS said.

In response to media queries, the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) said that following feedback from Wildlife Watcher (Singapore) — which had prepared the report in collaboration with the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society — it has inspected UWS and found the dolphins to be in satisfactory condition.

“However, one of the dolphins has been diagnosed with a form of non-contagious skin cancer and is currently undergoing treatment by UWS’ team of animal healthcare professionals ... The affected dolphin is being monitored closely by the team and is not used for animal performances,” the authority said.

The report stated that a member of the public had alerted Wildlife Watcher (Singapore) and the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society on July 1 to the condition of the dolphins kept in the Dolphin Lagoon at UWS.

The report — which was supported by Indonesian groups Animal Friends Jogja and Jakarta Animal Aid Network — was prepared over two visits to UWS on July 23 and Aug 17. Over a total of seven hours, the investigators visited the enclosures and recorded their observations of animal shows and programmes for the public.

“The display and usage of sick/injured animals for shows are in clear violation of the law as well as contradict UWS’ stand on conservation and education,” the report said.

Apart from the health of the animals and the condition of their enclosures, the report said the dolphins and fur seals were made to perform “unnatural acts for entertainment”. The loud music before and during the show — measuring between 90 and 101 decibels — also caused stress to the animals, it added.

Among other things, the report called on UWS and its owner Haw Par Corporation to cease all animal shows with immediate effect and start a rehabilitation-and-release programme for all its dolphins. It also sought a response from the two parties as well as the AVA on the findings.

When contacted, the Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (ACRES), which has spoken out against the keeping of dolphins in captivity, said it supported the campaign by Wildlife Watcher (Singapore). Adding that he was appalled by the conditions at the Dolphin Lagoon, ACRES executive director Louis Ng said: “ACRES hopes that companies in Singapore will make a moral and ethical decision to end the confinement of dolphins in captivity.”

In response to media queries, UWS clarified the condition of the sick dolphin and provided a picture of it taken more recently on Oct 17 — seemingly in better condition.

“Given that the sight of the dolphin’s skin condition may cause discomfort to some of our guests, our trainers have minimised its appearance in public at the main pool, while still allowing it the chance to interact with the other dolphins at times and without restraining its fun-loving nature,” UWS said. “We share its condition with the public whenever asked about its appearance and thus far, our guests have responded with empathy and acceptance.”

UWS said health checks were regularly conducted on it and the results showed that, apart from the cancer, which is being treated, the dolphin is generally in good health.

On the otters, UWS said their health and welfare were a top concern for their trainers. “Whenever possible, we offer our otters the opportunity to explore different stimuli in different enclosures at both the front and back of the house. Our trainers observe the otters closely and frequently and vary the enrichment activities according to the otters’ interest,” it added.

The AVA reiterated that UWS was required to comply with the licensing conditions and guidelines to ensure animal welfare and professional standards, which include the accommodation, management, acquisition or disposal of the animals and breeding management.

The authority said it conducts inspections as part of the licensing regime and in response to public feedback to ensure compliance with the licensing conditions.

Download the investigation report here https://www.dropbox.com/s/t0b9xjaezzv2nyi/DolphinLagoonUWSSingapore.pdf?dl=0
INVESTIGATIONS REPORT INTO THE CONDITIONS & WELFARE CONCERN OF THE ANIMALS KEPT CAPTIVE IN DOLPHIN LAGOON AND UNDERWATER WORLD SINGAPORE, SENTOSA (2014)
by WILDLIFE WATCHER (SINGAPORE) in collaboration with SEA SHEPHERD CONSERVATION SOCIETY