Dear Editor,
We have been traveling to Anguilla for over 25 years. During that time we have come to love and appreciate the beauty and serenity of the island and have made friends along the way. We have witnessed many positive changes and “growing pains” that come with progress. We have just returned from a visit.
It is with great disgust and sadness that we have witnessed the “Dolphin Discovery” company make its presence on Anguilla.
This company has erected a huge, ugly timber”cage” at Blowing Point for the magnificent dolphins that are trapped inside. It also blocks the natural flow of sea life in that area. The pretense is that one can interact with these wild creatures in their “natural environment”. This is not true. Dolphins were not meant to be touched and fed by humans and caged for the prurient pleasures of the uneducated. Being caged is not natural; dolphins were meant to swim free and be part of the ecosystem where they live and breed.
“Dolphin Discovery” has not only disturbed the ecosystem, but has no benefit to the citizens of Anguilla. The scores of tourists that come from St. Martin daily leave behind trash, do not patronize local shops and restaurants.
It is heartbreaking for us, as well as many Anguillians we have spoken to, to see this blight on the Island. It places Anguilla in a very negative light. In addition, numerous comments on Trip Advisor portray “Dolphin Discovery” negatively. Tourists will invariably associate this disturbing and negative experience with Anguilla, blaming it on the country and its people. This is obviously not good for a country whose economy is so reliant on tourism.
There are many beneficial ways tourists can enjoy the beauty of Anguilla. We have been snorkeling, diving and hiking its villages and beaches for years, and patronized many of the local restaurants.
“Dolphin Discovery” is bad for the dolphins, the environment and for Anguilla.
Sincerely,
Carole & Donald Warburton
Rexford, New York
(The views of the writer are not necessarily those of The Anguillian newspaper.)
