The open sea project

Today I will describe one of touristic attractions as well as reaserch centre in Israel and the fascinating project that has been developed and - however at present moment it has been discontinued due to legal and safety reasons - is hoped to be continued.

There are many countries in the world with oceanariums and aquariums of different sort and some of them keep marine mammals - dolphins included - within the facilities. Possibly the most known centres are in the USA but there are many other countries who keep dolphins, possibly the most inteligent mammals excluding men.
There is also dolphin centre - called "dolphin reef" in Eilat Israel, yet it is very different in its approach. As wild dolphins live in and frequent Red Sea, and they are no different from those living in the centre, the centre developed and tested approach giving dolphins freedom of choice. From 1996 till 2002 the underwater door into dolphin reef remained constantly opened and dolphins were free to choose when to stay inside the compound and when to go for a swim in an open sea (including the possibility of not returning and joining wild dolphins in vicinity). Amazingly enough (and giving very good witness to their treatment) dolphins stayed - they made excursions but always they were coming back to what obviously constituted their home.

The experiment - so successfull - would have been continued but it was extremly hard to protect dolphins while outside the reef. They were sometimes harrassed and often overfed with unappropiate for their health food. Thus after the legal battle in late 2002 scientists were forced to close underwater passage but they hope to go back as soon as it will be possible, to this open door policy.

Meanwhile dolphins in dolphin reef Eilat still have some choices usually not enjoyed by captive animals. They are free to engage with visitors who come to the centre and may swim with dolphins or to stay away. No food reinforcement is given to the dolphins to encourage their interaction with humans (obviously they are well fed but not as a reward for given activity). They may stay away from people or interact with them as they please.

The fact that for the most part they stay close to people and seem happy to remain in their company gives the Eilat centre the best reccomendation for their treatment of these beautiful animals.