Parker Leavitt

The Republic | azcentral.com

A Mexico-based entertainment company says it plans to open a "swim with the dolphins" facility this year on the Salt River Reservation near Scottsdale, sparking concerns from Valley residents and activists worldwide over the animals' welfare.

Ventura Entertainment, which owns five "dolphinariums" and other attractions across Mexico, is looking to expand into the U.S. with its first location planned in Arizona, according to a report from the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions.

The facilities, operated by a Ventura subsidiary called Dolphinaris, allow visitors to swim with and ride on captive dolphins, with prices ranging from $44 to $175, according to the company's website.

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The Scottsdale-area location is apparently planned near OdySea in the Desert, a 35-acre entertainment center near Via de Ventura and Loop 101. The complex is home to Butterfly Wonderland and a mirror maze.

The 200,000-square-foot OdySea Aquarium, billed as the largest in the Southwest, is set to open at the complex this summer. The aquarium will feature sharks, turtles, penguins and other marine animals but not dolphins or whales.

Dolphinaris is not affiliated with the aquarium, OdySea Aquarium spokeswoman Debi Bridges said.

Salt River Reservation officials could not immediately be reached for comment on the plans.

Petition spreading worldwide

An online petition directed at Ventura CEO Mauricio Martinez del Alva has gained about 100,000 supporters — some within Arizona and many from other states and countries.

The petition cites stress-induced physical and psychological problems endured by dolphins forced to live in captivity, "swimming in endless circles" while being fed dead fish. It also cites Arizona's hot weather, dusty air and bright sunshine among reasons why the state would provide an especially poor habitat for the animals.

Online "signatures" and comments have poured in from places like Italy, Poland and Bulgaria.

"No wild animal deserves to be forced to interact with human tourists," said one Tempe resident.

"Horrendous that this should be considered. They are intelligent wild animals not commodities," a United Kingdom resident said.

Mesa resident Laurice Dee started the petition. She said she was "shocked and bewildered" when she first heard about the Dolphinaris plans in January.

"I vehemently oppose dolphin captivity in the Arizona desert and very strongly believe that dolphins — as ocean-going mammals — should not be treated like domesticated animals in any way," Dee said.

An "Empty the Tanks" protest against marine-mammal captivity is planned on May 7 in Scottsdale.

Who has oversight?

Because the dolphin project sits on tribal lands, it is not subject to the same public permitting process as a development in Scottsdale or another municipality. But Ventura Entertainment will have to work with federal officials to transport dolphins and receive the proper license.

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, a division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is working with the facility, spokesman R. Andre Bell said. Once construction is finished, the company will apply for an Animal Welfare Act exhibitor's license, Bell said.

The agency conducts unannounced inspections to ensure exhibitors provide adequate care, including proper housing, handling, sanitation, nutrition and veterinary care. Penalties for violations range from cease-and-desist orders to fines or license suspensions.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, meanwhile, regulates the importing and exporting of all wildlife, including dolphins, spokesman Jeff Humphrey said. The agency may also get involved via interstate commerce rules if Ventura plans to transfer dolphins from within the U.S., he said.

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Plan for $20 million facility reported

While Dolphinaris representatives have not responded to a request for more information about the Scottsdale-area plans, a Mexican news report from January cited a $20 million cost for the new location. The report cited a projected opening in the first four days of July.

Two Dolphinaris job openings were posted on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community's website in January, including a full-time store director and assistant for the facility's gift shop. Another position as "manager of animal behavior" at Dolphinaris was recently posted by the Animal Behavior Management Alliance.

Other Dolphinaris locations are near Cancun, Riviera Maya, Cozumel, Barcelo and Tulum, according to the company's website.