Two dolphins who died after two-day techno party at marine park 'were fed drugs by ravers'
By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 3:05 PM on 15th November 2011
A pair of dolphins may have died after being fed drugs by ravers after a second animal died.
Police looking into the deaths in Connyland, Lipperswil, Switzerland, initially thought the deafening music from the rave may have killed dolphins Shadow and Chelmers.
But zoo vets are awaiting toxicology test results to see if they were poisoned by narcotics thrown into their enclosure during the rave.
Shadow (pictured) died soon after the rave while a second dolphin called Chelmers died two days later
Shadow was found soon after the event but Chelmers died two days later after a 'drawn out and painful' death.
Connyland keeper Nadja Gasser told local media: 'The death was very drawn out and painful. The death went on for over an hour. It was horrendous. I have not been able to sleep since.'
'When we went to start the dolphin training we noticed the same thing that had happened to Shadow was happening with Chelmers.
'He was drifting under the water and was clearly in trouble and so we jumped into the water. We tried to hold him. He was shaking all over and was foaming at the mouth.
'Eventually we got him out of the water. His tongue was hanging out. He could hardly breath. He was given adrenalin, but it didn't help. After an hour the dolphin died,' she added.
Investigators believe that both dolphins had suffered from 'drawn out and painful' deaths following the rave. This picture shows Shadow when she was still alive
Connyland in Switzerland has denied any wrong-doing and staff there are devastated to have lost a pair of dolphins
And dolphin expert Nadja said: 'I do not think Chelmers or Shadow died of natural causes. I think our dolphins have been poisoned.'
Now Swiss prosecutors have confirmed that are investigating the deaths of both dolphins.
Public prosecutors department spokesman Patrick Muller said: 'We are investigating. We are looking into the death of both dolphins this week.'
Furious animal activists say they warned both the marine park and local planners - who gave permission for the rave - of the dangers before the event.
They had been concerned that the high levels of noise could damage the marine mammals sensitive sonar and hearing and harm their delicate immune system.
'At this stage we don't know whether they were poisoned or bludgeoned to death by the noise. But one thing is certain - two healthy dolphins don't die within hours of each other for nothing,' said one campaigner.
Connyland has denied any wrong-doing.
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