ACRES TO LAUNCH INTERNATIONAL BOYCOTT OF RESORTS WORLD AND GENTING PROPERTIES

PRESS RELEASE

7 December 2012

SINGAPORE, 7 December 2012 – ACRES yesterday viewed the wild-caught dolphins purchased by Resorts World Sentosa (RWS). We regret that the dolphins are being housed in appalling conditions; in tiny barren swimming pools.

Surrounding the dolphins with four walls compromises their welfare. A report by The Humane Society of the United States and the World Society for the Protection of Animals states that “Smooth concrete walls usually surround these sound-sensitive animals and inhibit or discourage the natural use of their acoustic abilities”.

ACRES is issuing a final ultimatum to RWS: work with ACRES and Earth Island Institute to rehabilitate and release the dolphins back into the wild, or next month ACRES will launch a full-fledged boycott against not just Resorts World, but all Genting properties.

“We have tried our very best to establish a dialogue with RWS, but they have ignored our calls for meetings and turned a deaf ear to our concerns. RWS continues with their plans to confine the dolphins, despite the deaths of three dolphins under their care and scientific studies confirming that the trade in these dolphins was unsustainable and pushed this species one step closer towards extinction in the Solomon Islands.

ACRES appeals to RWS to review the facts provided to them and reconsider their decision. We hope that we won’t need to launch a boycott, but we are ready to do so if needed and we are confident that members of the public will support this” said Mr. Louis Ng, Chief Executive of ACRES.

ACRES also contacted RWS today to highlight that the 12-minute fireworks display scheduled for tonight may compromise the dolphins’ welfare, as the close proximity and loud noises may disorientate and distress them. A similar incident occurred in Switzerland where Shadow – an eight year old dolphin – was found dead after a huge techno event was held near the aquarium he was housed in.

Contact:

Louis Ng Chief Executive, ACRES louis@acres.org.sg Hp: +65 9796 8592

· The “Save the World’s Saddest Dolphins” campaign (www.saddestdolphins.com) was launched in May 2011. Over 680,000 individuals have joined ACRES in urging RWS to please let the dolphins go. The campaign is in partnership with Earth Island Institute.

· ACRES is a pioneering Singapore-based charity and Institution of Public Character, founded by Singaporeans in 2001 with the aim of promoting animal welfare.

· Photos of the dolphins at RWS are available on request.

· Coverage about the death of “Shadow” can be found here.

courtesy of The Online Citizen