Two female bottlenose dolphins have died in captivity of bacterial
infections. They had been housed at Langkawi as part of a group of nine
wild-caught dolphins for an exhibit by Resorts World Sentosa.
Bottlenose
dolphins are the most common and well-known species of oceanic dolphin,
and inhabit warm and temperate oceans worldwide. A fairly large number
of bottlenoses are currently kept in captivity in aquarium exhibits
around the world.
STOMPer Kenny wrote:
"In October 2010, two out of the nine dolphins housed in Langkawi died.
"RWS
confirmed the deaths only after questions from the media, two months
after their deaths. RWS said it did not announce the news immediately as
it was awaiting conclusive pathology results.
"RWS
stated that '2 females - one aged between four and five years and the
other, around 10 - died from an acute bacterial infection of
Melioidosis. The bacteria, Burkholderia pseudomallei, can be transmitted
through contact with contaminated soil and surface waters, with
infections occurring primarily during the rainy season.'
"The
dolphins died despite RWS' 'world-class team of experienced
professionals and animal experts' and despite their stated 'mission to
provide our animals with top-class care, and to treat them with
respect.'
"RWS also stated
that 'care and well-being of the dolphins are of paramount importance'.
RWS further mentioned that bottlenose dolphins 'are very adaptable to
living in controlled environments'."