Giving credit where it's due

I APPRECIATE Margaret Sheridan's favourable article (South China Morning Post, June 25), on Ocean Park's dolphin breeding and conservation programmes and her kind remarks about me and my career in marine mammal biology and conservation.

However, contrary to the suggestion in the article, I am not responsible for the recent bottlenose dolphin births at the park.

The breeding programme was well underway when I assumed administrative responsibility for it early this year.

All plaudits for the programme's success should go to the programme's founder, the late Dr Derek Chow, for his initiative and guidance, to current veterinarian Reimi Kinoshita and her staff for continuing the work, in collaboration with Fiona Brook, of Hong Kong Polytechnic, and to the veterinary, laboratory, animal training and husbandry, and support staff who have worked so tirelessly and effectively towards the goal of breeding dolphins at Ocean Park.

It is largely because of their dedication and competence that Ocean Park continues to rise in stature in the international oceanarium community.

I do beam with pride when I show off Jessie and her calf.

However, that pride is as much in my exceptional staff as it is in the dolphins whose lives they study, care for and help protect.

STEPHEN LEATHERWOOD Director Veterinary and Education Department Ocean Park