“Toxicology reports found a heroin substitute in the systems of [two dolphins], who died soon after a massive party at the amusement park where they lived.”

“Shadow and Chelmers, residents of the Connyland Marine Park in northeast Switzerland, died within five days of each other in November — soon after the area adjacent to their tank was rented out for a weekend rave.”

Forensics reveal that the dolphins had a heroin substitute, buprenorphine, in their urine, and that this caused their death by interfering with their ability to surface for air.  It is unclear how the dolphins came in contact with the substance.  Some speculate that ravers dumped it in the pool.

According to MSNBC, the owner of the facility denies that the rave had anything to do with the deaths, stating that the dolphins didn’t die until weeks later.

I don’t claim to have any particular insight or connection with this case, but this story doesn’t make a lot of sense to me.  The bigger issue seems to be the way dolphins are treated and used by humans in general.

PETA calls dolphin tanks “chlorinated prisons.”

Right now, the U.S. Navy is using dolphins to hunt for mines in the Persian Gulf.

And, you are probably familiar with the fact the Japanese continue to hunt dolphins.  This practice was documented in the Cove.

On a lighter note, the Oatmeal’s book 5 very good reasons to punch a dolphin in the mouth is pretty great.

~ by siouxsielaw on May 9, 2012.