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

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.

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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.

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