Video: Honey, Netherlands’ oldest dolphin, euthanized at 58
Honey, the oldest dolphin in the Netherlands and the second-oldest in Europe, died Wednesday, January 14, at the Dolfinarium Harderwijk, NRC reported. She was estimated to be 58 years old, nearly double the typical lifespan of a wild bottlenose dolphin, which averages around 30 years. After Honey’s death, 15 bottlenose dolphins remain at the Dolfinarium.
Honey was captured as a young calf in the Gulf of Mexico around 1969. She was first moved to a small, deteriorating park near London and later transferred to SeaWorld in the United Kingdom on March 12, 1970. There she gave birth to her first calf, Neptune, in 1985, and her second calf, Thea, in the closed park before the facility shut down in January 1992 due to failing to meet government standards.
On January 18, 1994, Honey and her two offspring were relocated to Dolfinarium Harderwijk. Neptune died in April 1994. In total, Honey had four calves in captivity, all of whom went on to have their offspring.
Recently, Honey’s health declined. Staff reported she swam less actively, stayed close to the water’s surface, and had a poor appetite. After consultation with veterinarians, the Dolfinarium staff decided to "humanely euthanize" her. Her body has been sent to Utrecht University’s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine for study.
In a statement on Instagram, Dolfinarium Harderwijk said, “We are sad but also grateful for her long life and everything she has meant to visitors and (former) colleagues. We will miss Honey enormously.” A video posted alongside the announcement showed Honey swimming and playing, accompanied by a disclaimer stating, “The loss of an animal is unfortunately part of caring for animals.”
Animal rights group Bite Back criticized Honey’s life in captivity. "The Dolfinarium has dominated her entire life, including her death," said spokesperson Alex Romijn. We would have granted her freedom." The organization conducts monthly protests against holding dolphins in captivity.
Public opinion in the Netherlands has shifted in recent decades regarding captive marine mammals. A 2021 Ipsos survey found that 42 percent of Dutch citizens believe aquariums should no longer house dolphins. The same year, Dutch lawmakers raised questions about Dolfinarium Harderwijk, prompting some companies, including NS, to end partnerships with the park.
