Dolfinarium Harderwijk challenges proposed dolphin breeding ban

The Dolfinarium in Harderwijk is contesting a proposed breeding ban for dolphins following a parliamentary letter from State Secretary Silvio Erkens. While the government aims for the eventual removal of dolphins from the park, the facility maintains that its current 22 bottlenose dolphins may remain in Harderwijk for up to fifty years.

Director Alex Tiebot expressed concerns regarding the ban, noting that a permanent prohibition removes the ability to provide customized care for individual animals. He warned that preventing natural breeding might necessitate long-term contraception, which carries health risks such as uterine inflammation and ovarian cysts. The park has already avoided new births for eight years to manage the population.

In response, Frank Zanderink of Stichting Rugvin stated that while a breeding stop is not the ideal solution for animal welfare, it is ‘the least bad development’ and questioned the severity of health risks associated with contraceptive use.