Dolfinarium’s dolphin transfer to China stalled by lack of communication
The Dolfinarium in Harderwijk is facing growing uncertainty over its controversial plan to export eight dolphins, two walruses, and two sea lions to Hainan Ocean Paradise in China, after communication with the Chinese marine park abruptly stopped last year, AD reported.
Documents obtained via a public records request under the Dutch Wet open overheid (Woo) reveal internal frustration at the Dolfinarium and mounting concern that the transfer—first proposed years ago—may never happen. The Harderwijk park, now owned by a Spanish company, allegedly has too many dolphins and says the current housing situation is “complex” and “urgent.”
“The animals cannot be transferred to Hainan Ocean Paradise, but we also cannot find another suitable destination for them due to our contractual obligations with Hainan,” the Dolfinarium allegedly wrote in an August 2024 letter to the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO), which oversees compliance with marine mammal regulations.
The Dolfinarium warned that the overcapacity is affecting the quality of care. “This results not only in an unjust situation but also leads to significant daily costs,” the park stated.
Initial communications from Hainan Ocean Paradise included photos of its dolphin facility, but contact ended entirely in 2024. Since then, the Dolfinarium has struggled to reach its Chinese counterparts.
The park is now asking the RVO to formally confirm that Hainan has failed to provide sufficient information, in the hopes of triggering a legal route to terminate the export contract.
Park director Alex Tiebot declined to elaborate. “We do not comment during ongoing procedures. The Dolfinarium still intends to relocate the animals to China,” he told AD.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature (LVVN) says it has received no recent updates from the Dolfinarium.
“So far, the ministry has not been informed about the current status,” spokesperson Jet Otten said. “As long as the Dolfinarium cannot prove to RVO that the destination meets the legal requirements, the animals cannot be exported.”
The proposed relocation has long drawn criticism from Dutch lawmakers and animal rights activists, who argue that Chinese animal welfare standards are inadequate. A majority in the Tweede Kamer opposes the transfer, and the Dolfinarium has released little public information since.
In Europe, the popularity of dolphin parks has declined sharply. Countries like France and Belgium have closed their facilities. China, by contrast, has rapidly expanded its marine entertainment sector and remains eager to receive dolphins. Experts note that a group of dolphins from Madrid was recently transferred to Hainan Ocean Paradise.
The Dolfinarium cannot proceed with the transfer unless it proves that Hainan Ocean Paradise meets European animal welfare requirements and that the dolphins will not be forced to perform tricks, which are now banned in the Netherlands. Without this documentation, the Dutch government will not approve the export.
RVO spokesperson Saskia Lalta declined to discuss the case in detail. “We cannot comment on specific matters. I must refer you to the Dolfinarium,” she told AD.
