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Mirage Hotel Shamed as #8 Worst Aquarium

Mirage Hotel Shamed as #8 Worst Aquarium

Mirage Hotel Shamed as #8 Worst Aquarium

10 Worst Tanks List for Dolphins and Whales Announced

IMAGES: http://bit.ly/29KcRUX
CONTACT: Toni Frohoff, Ph.D., toni@idausa.org, (805) 836-0496

Las Vegas, NV (July 20, 2016) – International animal protection organization, In Defense of Animals, today released its list of the Ten Worst Tanks for Dolphins and Whales in North America, with the #8 spot shaming Mirage Hotel.

The Ten Worst Tanks list exposes and represents the misery and suffering of some of the oceans’ most intelligent and complex mammals in captivity. Whales and dolphins are subject to astonishing rates of premature death, captivity-related injuries, forced removal of babies from mothers, and solitary isolation. Many are confined to swimming endless circles in cramped tanks, deprived of healthy social groups, and forced to endure invasive reproduction techniques, polluted water, dangerous transport, and brutal exploitation of their sociable natures through “swim” and “petting” programs.

The list was selected from over 60 facilities from southern Canada to Mexico where almost 1,000 whales and dolphins are held captive for public display.

“The odds are not good for casino dolphins at Mirage Hotel, which plumbs the depths in its exploitation of intelligent and sensitive animals,” said In Defense of Animals President, Dr. Marilyn Kroplick. “Even with the most modern technology, veterinary care, and infrastructure, cetaceans still suffer intensely in captivity and exhibit surprisingly high mortality rates. Please help protect dolphins and whales in the wild where they belong, by pledging to never visit facilities that imprison them.”

Mirage Hotel’s Shame

Under the hot desert sun, nine bottlenose dolphins are held captive at the Mirage Hotel and Casino complex on the Las Vegas Strip in Nevada. Infamous wild animal abusers Siegfried & Roy run a “Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat.” Here, mortality rates for dolphins are high, and odds for the dolphins’ survival can be viewed as low.

The lack of shade from the desert sun seems to be a blatant violation of Animal Welfare Act regulations that state: “Natural or artificial shelter which is appropriate for the species concerned, when local climatic conditions are taken into consideration, shall be provided for all marine mammals kept outdoors to afford them protection from the weather or from direct sunlight.”

Thirteen dolphins have died at the facility over its 26-year history, including one last fall, who was “on loan” from SeaWorld. Several dolphins there have suffered from a persistent skin disease. Also, the dolphins’ behaviors sometime indicate chronic stress, including stereotypic gnawing of metal gates and lying stationary at the gates for extended periods of time.

Trainers at the Dolphin Habitat regularly host school groups where children are told that the circus-style tricks the dolphins perform are “natural behaviors.” But, dolphins in nature do not paint with humans or “wave hello” on command. Not only is the educational component at this casino highly questionable, but the odds at the Mirage Hotel and Casino certainly seem to be stacked against the dolphins.

10 WORST TANKS:

1. SeaWorld, San Antonio, Texas; San Diego, California; Orlando, Florida
2. Marineland, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada
3. Puerto Aventuras Dolphin Discovery, Mayan Riviera, Quinta Roo, Mexico
4. Georgia Aquarium, Atlanta, Georgia
5. Miami Seaquarium, Miami, Florida
6. Six Flags Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico
7. Institute for Marine Mammal Studies, Gulfport, Mississippi and Unnamed new facility planned by same owner also in Gulfport, Mississippi
8. Mirage Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada
9. Vancouver Aquarium, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
10. Shedd Aquarium, Chicago, Illinois

Dishonorable Mention:
Dophinaris, Scottsdale, Arizona

Honorable Mention:
National Aquarium, Baltimore, Maryland

### NOTES ###

The Ten Worst Tanks list was produced over the past year by multiple cetacean experts and scientists to represent the myriad horrors faced by cetaceans in captivity. Facilities were examined and investigated in-person; through review of government records, veterinary records, and death reports; and via image and data documentation.

In Defense of Animals also produces the respected Ten Worst Zoos for Elephants List, now in its twelfth year: http://www.idausa.org/2015tenworstzoos

For more information please visit: www.idausa.org/10WorstTanks

### ENDS ###

In Defense of Animals is an international animal protection organization located in San Rafael, Calif. dedicated to protecting animals’ rights, welfare, and habitats through education, outreach, and our hands-on rescue facilities in India, Africa, and rural Mississippi.

IN DEFENSE OF ANIMALS • 3010 KERNER BLVD. • SAN RAFAEL, CA 94901 • 415-448-0048

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