Dolphin Rescue - Tom and Misha

Following a dramatic 48 hours of negotiations, the Born Free Foundation has secured the release of the two dolphins, Tom and Misha.

The plight of the dolphins has made international news since they were placed in a small concrete swimming pool in the Turkish town of Hisaronu, from where local campaign group, the Dolphin Angels, arranged a massive Facebook protest and an ongoing street presence, calling for their release.

The appalling conditions in the pool caused many to fear for the deteriorating health of the dolphins and to speculate as to whether they would survive their ordeal. Water samples taken by experts revealed harmful bacterial counts ten times higher than would be permissible under internationally accepted marine mammal standards. Meanwhile, SAD (Underwater Research Society), a Turkish NGO, has been pushing relevant governmental departments since July with supporting reports and proofs so that the dolphins must be confiscated by the government and handed over to NGOs which will carry out rehabilitation.

Backed by a dedicated team of wildlife professionals, including members of British Divers Marine Life Rescue and the pre-eminent dolphin rescue expert Doug Cartlidge, the Born Free team, along with Senior Vet Consultant, John Knight, flew to Turkey over the weekend.

The dolphins are now in a temporary sea-pen off the coast undergoing a thorough medical assessment. The move was made possible thanks to the co-operation of the Turkish Authorities and was facilitated through Born Free's project partners, Turkish marine research and conservation NGO, SAD, who have provided the sea and coastal facilities which could eventually to enable Misha and Tom's rehabilitation back to the wild.

Born Free's Campaigns Director, Alison Hood, reporting from Turkey concluded: "There can be no guarantees that this will succeed, but given the choice of either leaving them to perish in the pool or take their chances in the sea -- their natural environment - the decision was made and for the first time in 6 years, Tom and Misha have a chance - ultimately - of freedom. However, it's going to be a long haul and we are going to need all the help we can get."

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• Dolphin
• Rescue
• Tom
• and
• Misha

[limewolf3]

yay! i love how there are people out there who are willing to get off their butts and help the animals in need!

[OceanicDefense]

Congratulations to all involved! GREAT WORK!!

[FreedomForOrcas]

Awesome!