Community Corner

Zoo Director: 'No Viable Options' Exist to Continue Dolphin Exhibit

Minnesota Zoo Director Lee Ehmke released a statement about the decision to discontinue the dolphin exhibit because of "several misunderstandings" the zoo wanted to clarify.

Minnesota Zoo Director Lee Ehmke on Wednesday released a statement with further explanation of the decision to discontinue the zoo's dolphin exhibit, after receiving "a wide range of reactions and questions."

News came out earlier this week that the will be discontinuing its dolphin exhibit at Discovery Bay, even after the bay is repaired, which could take between nine and 18 months. After the repairs, other aquatic animals will occupy the space.

In one case, a Facebook group to save the dolphins formed after the announcement, with links to an online petition to support the cause.

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"There appear to be several misunderstandings which we would like to clarify," Ehmke's statement says.

Ehmke writes that the main reasons for the decision are the welfare of current dolphins, Allie and Semo—whose current living situation with just the two of them "is not an acceptable social situation"—and the "fiscal and logistical challenges" of finding a replacement dolphin group post-repairs.

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Allie and Semo will be moved to a location with other dolphins during construction, Ehmke writes.

"While the Zoo’s initial plans were to complete the repairs and bring in a new social group of dolphins, it has become clear that there are no viable options for making this happen, either now or in the foreseeable future," the statement says.

Read the complete statement on the Minnesota Zoo's website.


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