Hello,

EastEnder - didn't you post a few days ago that the Discovery center/hotel had closed? Anymore information on that?

--Islander

Prospect Reef has closed. The new BVI government wants to open it at as a hospitality training academy of some sort. I believe that the dolphins have been boarded out to other dolphin "discoveries" in the Caribbean.

Islander,don't get me started!

See, I knew this board was good for something other than making me plot my escape to St. John... :).

I am going to be in STJ in 10 days, but am also taking my 2 sisters (who have never been to STJ) on a cruise in July/August. I booked a shore excursion (very unlike me) to go 'swimming with dolphins'...but almost didn't because I am planning on bringing my sisters to STJ at some point and figured we could just go over to the BVI and do that...thanks for the heads up guys :)...

I Swam with the dolphins in Tortola last Nov. TOTALLY AWESOME!! Would do it again in a heart beat! So amazing... I am a mother of 4 and did not have my kids with me on that cruise, I am planning a trip just so they can have the experience... There was a 5 year old boy in our group and an 89 year old women in the group next to us. It took her about 20 tries to actually get "pulled" over on top of the dolphin to swim. They were soooo paitient with her, I bet it was the ride of her life!

If this is an option I would not pass it up... GO WITH HER!! I

Deana

Okay, I just logged on and am ready all the responses...I am confused - Deanna went in November and it was open and loved it. So, are you saying it is closed now? Thanks for the info!

Sorry EastEnder 🙁 for pulling you into this discussion. But thanks for the update.

Cindy & Island Blue, I contacted the Dolphin Discovery people and they said:

"The Prospect Reef Resort information is correct, but Dolphin Discovery is operating as normal. You can arrange your booking as planned, the location is still open."

--Islander

Thanks for clearing that up for me - I will book !! Can't wait to get on STJ...five days and counting !! <')))<

East Ender and I might be of same mind. While in Tortola a couple of weeks ago my girlfriend and I passed this place while riding a taxi from West End to Road Town. She took one look at me and said, "Don't start." I told her I was coming back later that night with a pair of wire cutters.

Richard N. Kurpiers

If you need help with sharpening the wire cutters, let me know and I'll fly down especially for that. What next, dancing with the elephants in the circus ring or trying to run with wolves in Wyoming?

We did the Dicovery Dolphin swim over New Years in Auguilla. IT WAS FANTASTIC. We were only in the water with the dolphin for about 30 minutes but well worth it. They film you while you interact with the dolphin and sell DVDs afterwards. We still watch it and smile ear to ear everytime. If you can do it, DO IT!!!!!

I appreciate all the "positive" remarks (ignored those that were just jerking me around!) and have booked the excursion - I am sure it will be an experience my daughter and I will remember always. Oh, and as for the "elephant dancing" and "wolves running" - maybe next year!!

I usually don't comment on these posts and everyone has to decide for themselves what is right from wrong but since I myself am a recovering DS, I think I can be objectionable about it. They are the most truly amazing creatures put on this earth. Their intelligence is awe inspiring. I've loved them since I was old enough to remember. It was my love for them that made me pay for a chance to be closer to them (3 times) and my love for them is the reason why I will never do it again. These beautiful creatures do not choose to interact with you. They are coerced. There are no laws in some of the islands and countries that offer these swims to protect you or the dolphins. I've done a little research and have read some heartrenchingly terrible things. These are wild and intelligent animals. From now on ever after, I will let them choose to come to me (if they will) in their wild ocean habitat and if my magical moment never comes at least in my heart, I know I made the right decision. Not trying to be controversial, just repectfully stating the feelings and opinions of myself and what others might be tired of repeating.

Your post was nicely worded - thank you for your objective thoughts and I do understand where you are coming from. If I knew of someplace in their natural habitat that they could be encountered I, too, would definitely opt for that situation.

In September 2001 -- despite numerous protests from animal welfare organizations worldwide -- the captive dolphin facility 'Dolphins Plus' of Florida, USA, sent four dolphins (Isla, Jessica, Tracey and Kimbit) to the island of Tortola to be used in a captive dolphin swim program at Prospect Reef Resort. The export took place with the permission of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) of the US Department of Commerce. Several members of the animal welfare community objected to the transfer, referring to the highly questionable water quality of the dolphin holding pen in Tortola. A letter describing the problems connected with the water quality was sent to both NMFS and Rick Borguss of Dolphins Plus before the dolphins were sent from Dolphins Plus to Tortola. The letter was written on behalf of the BVI Dive Operators Association and the Association Reef Keepers and gives this description of the water quality of the Tortola facility:

“A large water desalination plant located on the backshore of the lagoon generates constant noise and vibration into the ground. With that and street traffic, the background noise will be high. () Recent weather demonstrated how much silt, trash and dirty water washes into the lagoon with even moderate rainfall from the hillside just across the road, which is a boundary to the property. Spokesmen for Prospect Reef have said that Public Works is responsible for putting in proper drainage, and as far as we know, Public Works are showing no signs of agreeing to do this and moving ahead with the drain.

The busy coast road runs alongside the lagoon and the opening and there is no protection from curious passers-by, who will throw cans and bottles and perhaps worse into the pool. Fuel and oil from these vehicles will run off into the pool from the surface of the road.

The lagoon itself is misnamed. It’s more the size of a small pond approximately 30 x 150 feet which was dredged out of a quiet shallow mangrove lagoon, with a very fine, silty bottom. Action of the dolphin themselves, will continue to stir up the water and make it murky. The water is quite warm with insufficient depth to allow these creatures to reach any cooler water. This fact, plus the boisterous action of large animals, will weaken the mangrove roots causing infilling of the lagoon and killing of the mangroves. This would mean that whatever protection is offered them by the mangroves would be lost.

() There are no local regulations in place regarding conditions or treatment of animals, and concern for animal welfare is generally known to be lacking. This applies to a most of the developing world and the BVI is no exception.

There is occasional overflow from the hotel's sewage plant across the street during heavy rains that need rerouting. Continuous construction on the hill above causing more runoff from rain storms and possible runoff from septic tanks.”

The letters concludes:

“We believe this site warrants inspection before approval is given to transfer dolphins beyond the reach of United States Authority, to Prospect Reef. Surely, when the United States authorities approve the export of zoo animals to foreign zoos, they satisfy themselves that the facilities and level of care in the destination country will be up to US Standards.”

Despite this comprehensible forewarning, NMFS did not wish to carry out any inspection of the dolphin pen in Tortola, and Dolphins Plus was granted a permit to export Isla and her three companions to the Prospect Reef captive dolphin swim progam, where they remained for one year.

In October 2002, much to the surprise of Prospect Reef, Dolphins Plus relocated their dolphins to Salisbury, Dominica, to be used in a commercial dolphin swim program there.

Just about one week later, Isla was dead. One of Isla’s companions -- Tracey – was seriously ill and was being force-fed several times a day.

To the newspaper BVI Beacon, Rick Borguss blames, guess what: the polluted water at the Tortola facility.

'Sometimes you could smell the raw sewage,' he is quoted as saying.

The BVI Beacon published this article about Isla’s death:

PROSPECT DOLPHIN DIES

By James Osborne

BVI BEACON

November 15, 2002

Isla, who along with three other dolphins was transported out of Prospect Reef last month, died in Dominica Nov. 3 from unknown causes. It will be at least three weeks until an autopsy report is issued. Rick Borguss, owner of Dolphins Plus, who brought the dolphins to Tortola in September 2001, said the 20-year-old female was sick for several months before being relocated.

'Sometimes you could smell the raw sewage,' Mr. Borguss said. 'Then, five months ago, we realised we had to get them out of there.'

Sewage is discharged into the ocean off Slaney Point, which is near Prospect Reef.

Mr. Borguss' statement, however, is contrary to what another Dolphins Plus representative said shortly before the dolphins departed Oct. 6.At that time, the company said the new facility in Dominica had been finished a year ahead of schedule. But Mr. Borguss said the facility is still a year away from completion.

According to Mr. Borguss, Isla was in poor health throughout her stay at Prospect Reef and had to be placed on antibiotics several times. Another dolphin, Tracey, also became sick shortly after arriving in Dominica, but the owner said that was related to eating a toxic fish that swam into her enclosure.

One local critic of the dolphin programme, Ken Dennison, pointed out that the dolphin pen is next to a public highway.

'There was all that wash off the road. Anytime there was a heavy rain it would run right into the pool. So, it doesn't surprise me (the dolphin died),' he said.

The dolphin programme ignited a wave of protests that started in the spring of 2001 when it was first announced. But in response to protestors, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour was adamant that the dolphins' safety was a priority.

'The departments of agriculture and conservation and fisheries are working with Prospect Reef Resort to ensure that all standards required ... are achieved,' Mr. Willock said in September 2001.

He did not return phone calls in relation to this story.

Mr. Borguss stated that this was the first time he had lost a dolphin in 22 years.

But Ric O'Barry, who used to capture and train dolphins but now works as a wildlife consultant with the World Society for the Protection of Animals, recalls a time when he was working in the industry and one of his animals died.

'A reporter came up, asking where Candy was, and I myself just pointed at another dolphin and said there she is. You can't tell the difference. There's a lot of lying to the public,' he said.

Cyril Romney, owner of Prospect Reef, did not return phone calls in relation to this story.

Update on the Tortola facility, February 2003

Despite the controversy surrounding the water quality of the dolphin holding pen in Tortola, a new captive dolphin swim program has been set up in this location. Please see article below:

The BVI Beacon

Thursday January 16 2003

MORE DOLPHINS COMING TO BVI

Animals expected to arrive in February

By James Osbourne

Four male dolphins are expected to arrive in the BVI next month when the interactive programme at Prospect Reef Resort is revived.

The programme will be operated by Cancun-based Dolphin Discovery. The firm will operate a programme akin to the one run by Dolphins Plus that left the resort in November.

That arrangement came to a bitter end when Dolphins Plus pulled its animals out of Prospect Reef and transported them to a facility in Dominica.

When one of the dolphins subsequently died, owner Rick Borgus blamed the water quality here. But according to the Ministry of Natural Resources, the water quality was tested regularly during the course of the animals' stay and they were regularly checked by a veterinarian. () Before the dolphins arrive, Dolphin Discovery will install a pumping system to improve water circulation in the lagoon at an estimated cost of $40,000, according to the company.

'The water quality met with government standards, just not our personal standards!” said Mike Wood, director of operations at Dolphin Discovery.

Other areas of water quality improvement the company is looking into include diverting runoff from the adjacent road away from the lagoon.

Dophin Discovery has been in business since 1994. This is its first time operating outside of Mexico.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour approved the new dolphin outfit following Executive Council's okay.

'We have no objection whatsoever to dolphins returning to the BVI...The project was approved by Executive Council (EXCO), and it’s our duty to execute the decisions of EXCO. It’s simply replacing some dolphins,' said Assistant Permanent Secretary at the Ministry Julian Willock.

February 14th, 2003 Dolphin Discovery exported four dolphins from Mexico to Tortola.

After a long, delayed trip Renata Lenzi, head of Dolphin Discovery research, animal care and veterinary care, is quoted as saying: “The dolphins were not stressed, and it's actually a relaxing experience for them.'

On Saturday afternoon paying tourists were seen swimming with the dolphins.

Who and What is Dolphin Discovery?

We have received the following information from our contact in Mexico:

- Dolphin Discovery owns 62 dolphins.

- The company is owned by three Americans: John Olson, Donna Brewer Kassewitz, and Mike Wood.

- 22 of the 62 dolphins owned by Dolphin Discovery originally came from Cuba. This possibly includes the four dolphins that that were sent to Prospect Reef, Tortola.

We are currently seeking documentation to verify the dolphins’ origin and the exact number of dolphins owned by Dolphin Discovery.

Dolphin Discovery, too, has been warned of the questionable water quality at Prospect Reef. McKenna sent Mike Wood, co-owner of Dolphin Discovery, a copy of the above-mentioned letter that was sent to Dolphins Plus and NMFS. In her letter to Mike Wood, McKenna points out:

“Borguss disputed there were any problems with the water prior to the facility opening. Six months later he admitted to me that everything those of us warned him about was true. The water was so stagnant, Rick had to bring in very expensive pumps to circulate it. The water readings were so bad, due to the nearby Marina, that Rick had to build a concrete wall to prevent the pollution from entering the lagoon. However, nothing he did seemed to improve the water conditions there.'

Together with Dolphin Freedom Coalition, we continue to monitor the situation in Dominica and Tortola.

This is very enlightening albeit disturbing - is there more recent data since February, 2003? It saddens me the water conditions, as written in the article, are so bad for the dolphins.... will need to rethink this = maybe I will need some wirecutters! I certainly wouldn't want my daughter to be exposed to water with questionable quality - at least we have the option - unlike the dolphins.

I've always been rather uncomfortable with the imprisonment and mistreatment of dolphins for the purpose of human entertainment. They're very intelligent creatures and they surely didn't volunteer. They're not like dogs who thrive live to make their masters happy. The natural world doesn't exist for the amusement of the humans. This is one of the reasons that I enjoy STJ so much. Being mostly national park, the regulations eliminate a lot of the crap that makes me cringe in other places.

I'm glad to see so many intelligent kindred spirits who feel as I do that wild animals should not be trapped and exploited like these places do to them. How would the tourists feel if we suddenly trapped them, took away their freedom of living in their natural habitats and said "now you must put up with strangers putting their hands all over you and pretending that you must like the experience too or you wouldn't allow yourself to be trapped here right?" All creatures deserve respect but these poor dolphins clearly get none. Intelligent, well read individuals who take the time to learn about the needs of all animals to safe, freely chosen lifestyles would never participate in such barbaric activities.

Cindy says:

If I knew of someplace in their natural habitat that they could be encountered I, too, would definitely opt for that situation.

Well, there is one, it's called the ocean!

I have a friend that did it and I know of others too. He saw a pod(?) of them between JVD and STT and jumped in and swam with them. There is a also another dolphin that comes to Cruz Bay every winter nicknamed Splash, some folks swim with him too. Actually he didn't show one year but came back with a baby the next year. He wasn't a he after all! Hang out on the water and you will see them!
Good luck.

Ronnie

I have another heartwarming and natural interaction story...

Last year on Maui, my travel agent was snorkeling in a bay (can't remember the name off the top of my head) with her two kids ages 15 and 13. Her and her husband were a ways apart from the two kids when he looked down and spoted a fin. At first he thought it was a shark and they started yelling to the kids to swim in. The next thing they knew, both of her children were surrounded by a pod of about 30 wild dolphins. They were playing and and interacting with the kids. The kids were laughing, touching and twirling as my TA and her husband looked on in amazement. The dolphins played and interacted with the kids for about 10 minutes before swimming off. I had just returned from Maui when this happened and believe me, I wanted to hop a plane and fly right back! What a truly magical moment they had. I should be so lucky......