Animal activists block entrances to Dolfinarium

Several dozen animal rights activists have been blocking the entrances to the Dolfinarium in Harderwijk since 09:50 a.m. on Saturday, the Bite Back foundation reports. The activists from Bite Back and Active for Justice are demonstrating because they believe that the animals at the Dolfinarium live in poor conditions.

Some of the activists have tied themselves to the entrance gates with steel pipes, and some are also wearing dolphin costumes. The activists are carrying banners, protest signs, and flyers. Due to the blockade, visitors could only enter through a side entrance from 10:30 a.m., reports park manager Alex Tiebot. The marine mammal park normally opens at 10:00. Fences with cloths have been placed in front of the entrances to which the activists have tied themselves, so that they are no longer visible to the public.

A spokesperson for Bite Back gives the example of 3-meter-long Steller sea lions sitting in a 1.60-meter-deep pool. “We find this unacceptable. It is not for nothing that the Dolfinarium was recently excluded from the European trade association.” According to the foundation, the Dolfinarium also still allows trainers to surf on the noses of dolphins and sea lions to wave their flippers at the public. “This violates the agreements made with the government. We believe that now is the time to close this park and give the animals an animal-friendly future.”

The activists plan to continue the protest for as long as possible, and they say they will not stop if the Dolfinarium opens a side entrance. “With this action, we want to expose the fate of the animals in a playful and highly visible way. If you care about the animals, don't visit this park,” the spokesperson said.

Tiebot is "surprised" by the action and hopes that the police and municipality will decide to enforce at a later time. He thinks that the activists may not agree "with the mission of the Dolfinarium", but there are "normal paths" to show this, for example by applying for a demonstration permit or going to court. He therefore has "no respect" for this action, which according to him is "comparable to breaking and entering". Tiebot hopes to find out the identity of the activists with the help of the enforcement, so that a report of trespassing can be filed and the damages can be recovered from them.