Connyland eyes dolphin semen import
Animal park Connyland is considering importing dolphin semen in order to circumvent a proposed prohibition on importing new animals.
Following the mysterious deaths last year of two Connyland dolphins, which caused consternation among animal lovers and activists and triggered accusations of ill-treatment, a new ban on the importation of dolphins is being considered.
Now the beleaguered park is considering importing semen instead in an attempt to breed dolphins from within the park as a way of getting around the ban, online news site 20 Minuten reported.
“Importing dolphin semen would circumvent the spirit of the new law, under which the holding of dolphins in Switzerland is impossible,” said Green Liberal Councillor, Isabelle Chevalley.
The National Council will decide on Tuesday whether to impose a ban on the importation of dolphins and whales. The lower house, the Council of States, has already sanctioned the proposed ban.
Activists say that this is not enough, and are calling for the ban to be extended to include semen to prevent breeding from within the park. Currently there is only one female at the park.
“We can’t let the last female be used as a breeding machine,” ProWal activist Andreas Morlock, told the website.
Chevalley believes the importation of dolphin semen would be “nothing but madness”.
“A dolphin in a dolphinarium is like a tiger turning around in its cage,” Chevalley said.
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