worlds first permanent dolphin rehab center welcomes melka hotel rescues

Category : Adventure | Posted On Jul 13, 2020

Melka Hotel in Northern Bali had to give up their three Dolphins because of the mistreatment and they are now the residents of Bali Dolphin Sanctuary and the new facility organizers say is the world’s first permanent rehabilitation center for dolphins.

The US Based Non Profit Dolphin Protect Organization that manages the sanctuary shared in a blog post that this center is designed for the dolphins rescued from captivity. Rocky, Rambo and Johnny the three dolphins were captured in Java Sea and had spent the last several years confined in Melka’s heavily chlorinated swimming pool.

Indonesian Authorities and animal rights organizations collaboration on rescue mission last year in August, in the mission several animals were rescued and evacuated from Melka Hotel after years of allegations of animal abuse.

This mission was expedited after a dolphin kept as an attraction died at the establishment which prompted an immediate investigation from Bali's conservation agency.

Four other remaining dolphins, which were in varying degrees of bad health, and other animals who were “suffering in deplorable conditions” were subsequently evacuated.

Johnny the dolphin, for example, was left blind and toothless, and was critically underweight when he was first rescued, according to the Dolphin Project.

This facility which is located in anyuwedang bay in Buleleng regency was jointly established by Indonesian Ministry of Environment and Forestry, The National Resources Conservation Center in Bali, the Jakarta Animal Aid Network (JAAN), and the Dolphin Project.

The Dolphins at the center will be nursed back to health and stabilized. After that it was be assessed whether they are fit for readaptation and release. If they are deemed fit they will be handed over to another facility named Camp Lumba Lumba in Karimun Jawa for their preparation of returning back to the sea while those who seem ready are going to retire at the center.

Johnny because of his condition is going to retire at the center whereas Rambo and Rocky may still have a chance to return home. Unfortunately the fourth Dolphin, Dewa who was rescued along with these three from Melka couldn't survive the illness and died in March.

“As the world’s first permanent dolphin sanctuary in the world, the Bali Dolphin Sanctuary must be a model for success,” the Dolphin Project on their website.

“Ideally, it will act as a prototype for others to be built globally, as demand for captive dolphins wane.”