Landlocked Armenia Gets Sea Attraction: But environmentalists say it is not welcome
Photo:NAZIK ARMENAKYAN
ArmeniaNow
The dolphinarium opened in Yerevan today
By Karine Ionesyan
ArmeniaNow reporter
The opening ceremony of the first dolphinarium in Armenia on Friday started with a picket, as environmentalists warned that the tank is cruel to the animals (including sea lions and seals) and has potential for harm to children.
"The dolphinarium advertisement says that it may have a therapeutic impact; that children can swim in the water with the sea animals, without taking into consideration that under such conditions, dolphins may suffer stress and do children harm easily. Taking this fact into consideration, dolphinarium construction was officially banned in Croatia, and other countries try to close the already existing dolphinaria," says Ruben Khachatryan, Director of the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets (FPWC). The dolphinarium, which was constructed at Komitas Park, near the `Pantheon' within two months, belongs to Nerum Ukrainian organization, which as environmentalists and their colleagues in Ukraine report, has not been allowed to build a dolphinarium in Ukraine within the recent years, whereas the Yerevan Municipality has leased land for it. Environmentalists have not received the answers to their inquiries sent to the Municipality of Yerevan and the Ministry of Nature Protection of Armenia, demanding to provide them with the documents, which justify the licensing of the dolphinarium, as well as the documents permitting the import of sea mammals. About 2.5 meters long dolphins which usually swim 100 km per day will live in a tank, the length of which is 16 meters (52 feet) and a height of 5 meters (16 feet). Environmentalists say that the sea animals might also be harmed by chlorinated water. Representatives of Nerum Organization refute the environmentalists' concerns, however, refusing to hold public hearings. The dolphinarium will house four dolphins, one sea lion and two seals. The complex will accommodate 900 visitors. The entrance prices range from 2,000 to 3,000 drams ($6-$8), with free entry for children under 5.
Source URL: http://armenianow.com/news/26742/dolphin_tank_opening_yerevan
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