Dolphin dies at West Edmonton Mall Maria, a 19 year old Atlantic bottlenose dolphin, has died at the West Edmonton Mall (WEM). According to WEM spokesperson Travis Reynolds, Maria died during the early morning from 'undetermined causes'. He also said she suffered from ongoing 'health issues' and that an autopsy will be conducted in the hope of providing more information. According to Brian McHattie of Zoocheck Canada, 'The death of Maria clearly demonstrates that dolphins are not good candidates for captivity. Bottlenose dolphins have been known to live into their forties. If, as aquariums claim, they provide their animals with a safe, suitable, healthy environment, free from the hazards they'd encounter in the wild, then why do so few of them survive to the upper range of their potential lifespan.' The WEM has been heavily criticized for a number of years by animal protection organizations who claim the dolphin facility is grossly undersized and poor quality, and for the dolphin 'performances' that are used to entertain shoppers and mall visitors. (See previous report.) Maria was one of four dolphins taken from the wild in the Charlotte Harbour, Florida region of the Gulf of Mexico in 1985 and shipped to the WEM. According to the National Post, WEM Manager Gary Hanson has stated that the dolphins will not be replaced once they die. 'I have to give credit to the WEM for promising not to replace the dolphins. It's the responsible course of action,' said Rob Laidlaw of Zoocheck. HOW YOU CAN HELP
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