Ecobreves – VENEZUELA: Free Maggie?

By IPS Correspondents and - - Reprint | | Print |

CARACAS, Jan 26 2004 (IPS) - Venezuelan authorities are preparing to release Maggie the dolphin, a young female of the Delphinus capensis family, who beached on the coast of Margarita Island in May 2003. Since then, the long-nosed gray dolphin has undergone testing at the privately-run Waterland aquarium, which had custody over Maggie while she recovered.

The Environment Ministry determined that “the animal is 100-percent ready for release because she is in good health,” ministry official Sergio Sánchez told Tierramérica.

But Waterland director Margarita Mejía says the medical tests show that “Maggie continues to suffer liver and immune problems.” Mejía opposes her release for now.

“They want to release her at any cost. I hope it isn't a repeat of what happened to Keiko,” she said, in reference to the killer whale star of “Free Willy”. Keiko died recently after being returned to the wild after spending practically his entire life in captivity.