The U.S. National Aquarium in Baltimore, Md., is relocating its Atlantic bottlenose dolphin population to a sanctuary that reflects the mammals’ natural habitat by 2020.
According to CBS Baltimore News, this will be the first dolphin sanctuary in North America that will give dolphins continuous shelter with a full complement of staff members to care for them.
“We now know more about dolphins and their care, and we believe that the National Aquarium is uniquely positioned to use that knowledge to implement positive change,” John Racanelli, National Aquarium chief executive officer, told CBS Baltimore News. “This is the right time to move forward with the dolphin sanctuary.”
Currently, the National Aquarium is looking for the best spot to relocate its dolphins. Their new home will have to meet a number of criteria.
First, the location must be suitable for staff care for their dolphins.
Second, the sanctuary needs to be in deep, natural sea water.
Third, the sanctuary needs to be located in a climate that is tropical or subtropical.
And finally, it needs to be rich with fish and aquatic plants.
After the National Aquarium announced its relocation efforts, the group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) welcomed the move.
“PETA today applauds the National Aquarium for making the decision to let the dolphins out of its tanks and put them back into the ocean where they belong,” PETA executive vice-president Tracy Reiman said in a statement to CBS Baltimore News.