DOLPHINS ACQUIRED BY UNDERWATER WORLD (Investigations)

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DOLPHINS ACQUIRED BY UNDERWATER WORLD:

(Investigations): 3.

Ms Braema Mathiaparanam asked the Minister for National Development (a) if he will give an update on the investigations by the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) following a report claiming that the dolphins acquired by Underwater World were not born in captivity but were illegally traded after their capture in the wild; and (b) how does the AVA ensure that animals brought in or bought by local operators do not contravene the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, to which Singapore is a signatory.

Dr Vivian Balakrishnan (for the Minister for National Development): Mr Speaker, Singapore is a signatory to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The CITES regulates the international

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trade in endangered species to ensure that they are not threatened with extinction. The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority is the CITES Management Authority in Singapore. Under Singapore's Endangered Species (Import and Export) Act, any import of species that is protected under CITES requires an import permit from AVA as well as an export permit from the exporting country. AVA will only issue permits for imports that meet CITES' requirements. The consignment of CITES species will be inspected by AVA officers at the point of entry to ensure compliance with CITES and with AVA requirements before it is released to the importer.

The acquisition of the six Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins, or pink dolphins, from Thailand by the Underwater World Singapore (UWS) did not contravene CITES' requirements. CITES allows the import of both wild and captive bred pink dolphins for captive breeding and education purposes if it is approved by the exporting country and if there are sufficiently equipped facilities to house and to care for the animals in the importing country. Thailand, as a signatory to CITES, had approved the export of the dolphins to Singapore. The AVA had assessed that the Underwater World Singapore, as a zoological facility, had met all CITES' requirements and, hence, approved the application.

Ms Braema Mathiaparanam: Two supplementary questions, Sir. The Minister of State mentioned that, according to CITES, as long as it is wild or bred in captivity, it allows it to be imported. I am a little bit lost here as to what is the definition of "wild" if it is an endangered species when you are going to bring it and keep it within a specific area. How did that dolphin then come about to be? Is it captured in the wild then? Could I have some clarification on that? According to the report in the newspaper, the Oasis Seaworld was founded in 1990. The dolphins that came here, the average age,

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according to the report, is about 26.

Mr Speaker: Ms Braema, no speeches. Your question, please.

Ms Braema Mathiaparanam: They could not have been bred in captivity then. So how were the records checked?

Dr Vivian Balakrishnan: Mr Speaker, Sir, the definition of "wild" means it is caught in the wild. Definition of "captive bred" means it has been bred in a zoological facility. Of the six dolphins, some, we believe, would have been caught, and some are captive bred. The point is that it is a red herring - if you can pardon the pun - whether they are captive bred or wild. Under Appendix 1 of CITES, as long as AVA is confident, that the Underwater World Singapore is able to take appropriate care of these dolphins, they are allowed to be imported, regardless of whether they are captive bred or wild.

Ms Braema Mathiaparanam: Could I have the assurance from the Minister that in the way we have given the permit, we have not contravened the Convention then?

Dr Vivian Balakrishnan: Mr Speaker, Sir, absolutely.