Ocean Park urged to end dolphin show 'circus'

Animal welfare groups are urging Ocean Park to phase out its trademark dolphin performance, which they say is outdated and 'circus-like' and gives a distorted impression of the animals' life in the wild.

The Asia for Animals coalition, an umbrella group including the Humane Society International, the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society and Animals Asia, says the popular show could be replaced by exhibitions and virtual reality shows.

The group suggests multimedia exhibitions such as immersive theatre displays and simulation experiences, and a diver training academy where children and adults could have educational dives with scientists and marine biologists as an alternative.

But Ocean Park defended its daily Sea Dreams dolphin performance, which features a narrative of a man telling his granddaughter how humans and dolphins can live in harmony.

Ocean Park claims the show conveys a powerful conservation message to its five million annual visitors, and insists the behaviour displayed by the dolphins is natural and that animals are free to participate or not.

In a written submission to Ocean Park, Asia for Animals said: 'There are numerous activities and initiatives that Ocean Park could develop to further educate and entertain visitors without the need for live animal displays.'

The coalition, which has held talks with Ocean Park chairman Allan Zeman, said Ocean Park should consider a 4-D immersion theatre in an aquarium setting similar to the one at the US National Aquarium in Baltimore, which combines 3-D visual effects with sensory effects built into theatre seats and surroundings.