Dear Sir, Madam, We have been informed that the marine circus 'Water Land' has been in Lima since the beginning of February. Considering our interest in the conservation and protection of cetaceans and other marine mammals, we would like to manifest our concern about the presence of this marine show in your country. Water Land has a very bad reputation, especially because of its cruel treatment of dolphins and sea lions. For example 'Cheryl', one the dolphins of this circus, died of stress in October 1997 after having been transported inhumanely to seven countries between February 1996 and August 1997. Dolphins are free ranging, social, intelligent, acoustical, and highly complex wild creatures.
Chlorine is a venom that slowly poisons the animals, causes blindness and, eventually, death.
In addition, because of the nomadic nature of the marine-show the dolphins and sea lions are transported frequently, and must be sedated. Some animals have died from sedation. Transport may also cause fractures, skin lesions and hyperthermia. For these reasons, itinerant marine mammal shows are qualified internationally as a form of animal ill treatment. Brazil, Puerto Rico, Chile and Argentina prohibit such shows into their territories.