Marineland of South Australia

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Marineland of South Australia was a public aquarium and wildlife park in West Beach, South Australia that opened in 1969 and closed permanently in 1988.

Contents

Exhibits

Exhibits included local species such as the Australian pelican, [1] Little penguin, [2] Australian sea lion, Long-nosed fur seal, Southern rock lobster, sea urchins, leatherjackets and other fishes. [3] In 1974, a loggerhead turtle that had been caught in a crayfish pot off Kangaroo Island was put on exhibit. [4] In 1987, a sea lion pup, believed to have been orphaned was taken into care at Marineland. [5] Bottlenose dolphins were trained to perform tricks, including one called Nipper, who had been caught in the wild by fishermen at Outer Harbor then taught to leap through a flaming hoop. Patrons were also able to "dine with dolphins" while seated in a restaurant with windows into the dolphin enclosure.

Helicopter joyflights on the Seven Network helicopter could also be taken from Marineland for a fee. [6]

Management

In 1974, the manager of Marineland was Terry Woon. [4]

Fate of captive dolphins

The keeping of dolphins in captivity became a controversial issue in the final years of the centre and after its closure. [7] [8] The fate of six captive dolphins was publicly debated [9] [10] and their health was investigated by veterinarians. One of the dolphins was pregnant. People were concerned that the dolphins might not survive relocation as their health had declined, while others opposed euthanasia. [11] Groups taking positions on the issue included Wildwatch, who sought to experiment with retraining the dolphins, Friends of the Dolphins who believed the dolphins would perish if returned to the sea and wanted them to remain in a land-based "dolphinarium" [12] and the South Coast Peace and Environment Group. [13]

Wildwatch proposed a new home for dolphins and other species at Granite Island [2] that could support the rehabilitation of stranded or sick marine species [2] as well as reconditioning the captive dolphins for potential release to the wild. [14] American dolphin trainer Ric O'Barry visited South Australia to consult on the subject, [15] and stated that the facilities for captive dolphins that he had seen in Australia were "the worst in the world". He said that at least the Chinese had the excuse that they lacked the wealth to improve the animals' living conditions. Some of the dolphins were ultimately transported to an aquarium in Queensland.

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References

  1. ↑ "Visit to Marineland". Victor Harbour Times (SA : 1932 - 1986). 6 September 1978. p. 10. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 "Granite Island site for dolphin facility". Times (Victor Harbor, SA : 1987 - 1999). 14 October 1988. p. 1. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
  3. ↑ "Civilian Widows". Victor Harbour Times (SA : 1932 - 1986). 17 April 1970. p. 7. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
  4. 1 2 "No title". Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995). 30 January 1974. p. 12. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
  5. ↑ "New home for lost 'baby'". Times (Victor Harbor, SA : 1987 - 1999). 3 July 1987. p. 1. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
  6. ↑ "The end of the endless summer". Prospecter (Fitzroy, SA : 1978 - 1984). 1 December 1979. p. 12. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
  7. ↑ Byrne, Bob. "Mixed Memories for Marineland | Adelaide Remember When" . Retrieved 11 June 2021.
  8. ↑ Reynolds, Steve (6 May 2020). "Adelaide's Marineland Dolphins". Marine Life Society of South Australia Inc. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
  9. ↑ "What's best for the dolphins?". Times (Victor Harbor, SA : 1987 - 1999). 14 April 1989. p. 2. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
  10. ↑ "Government rules out dolphins for Victor". Times (Victor Harbor, SA : 1987 - 1999). 14 June 1989. p. 1. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
  11. ↑ "Plight of the dolphins". Times (Victor Harbor, SA : 1987 - 1999). 16 June 1989. p. 2. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
  12. ↑ "Withdraw dolphin plan support, syndicate urged". Times (Victor Harbor, SA : 1987 - 1999). 12 April 1989. p. 1. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
  13. ↑ "Dolphins video". Times (Victor Harbor, SA : 1987 - 1999). 3 May 1989. p. 6. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
  14. ↑ "People in profile". Times (Victor Harbor, SA : 1987 - 1999). 19 October 1988. p. 9. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
  15. ↑ "Dolphin expert talks to public". Times (Victor Harbor, SA : 1987 - 1999). 11 November 1988. p. 7. Retrieved 11 June 2021.

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