Dolphinarium deep-sixed

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by Patrick Lejtenyi

The proposed and controversial project to build a dolphinarium at the Granby Zoo has been axed, in large part due to pressure its critics brought on those holding the purse-strings, animal rights groups say. Although the project has been ostensibly put off until 2005, Global Action Network's Franck Tieman says, "The position we have now is that project is terminado because Granby considered it a pet project and they never have money for pet projects." This particular project would have cost an estimated $12-million, funded by the government, and made Granby the fourth installation in Canada to house cetaceans--marine mammals--in captivity (the other three are Niagara Falls' Marineland, the Vancouver Aquarium and the West Edmonton Mall).

Tieman says the Granby Zoo is in pretty dire financial straits and was counting on the six dolphins to act as a star species to reinvigorate its money situation. "They used to present animals as new attractions to save the zoo," he says, but Granby officials "have to modernize the way we see animals." This, he thinks, can be done by boosting whale-watching tours in the Lower St. Lawrence, which, if done properly, is both a good cash source for the region and a respectful way of looking at marine behemoths in their natural habitat. The Granby Zoo did not return the Mirror's calls.

Brian McHattie, of Toronto-based Zoocheck Canada, says the fight against cetaceans in captivity has made it to the House of Commons. Blocists, the NDP and the Alliance have all taken positions against trading in marine mammals.