Authorities in Dubai are investigating if the woman seen riding on the back of a dolphin on the hard poolside floor of Dubai Dolphinarium is appropriate. The incident has been widely criticised by animal welfare groups after the video appeared in Instagram.

Bottlenose dolphins never live on land as their bodies cannot support their own weight.  A dolphin’s body cannot support any pressure outside water. Pressing the abdomen of a dolphin to the floor can crush internal organs, it seems. Instagram video showed the woman, appearing to be a trainer, apparently riding on the back of a dolphin for six seconds. The dolphin is seen wriggling into the water.

UAE Federal Law No. 16 of 2007 on animal welfare prohibits animal abuse. Dubai Municipality’s decision is awaited. Dubai is known to be very strict on handling animal abuse. Luckily the dolphin appeared fine and swam back into water but the act is expected to attract warning from the authorities.

Dr Elsayed Ahmad Mohammad, Mena Regional Director of the International Fund for Animal Welfare, expressed his concern about the condition of the dolphin.

“It is well known that the body of dolphins is very sensitive. Its body is always swimming freely in the water. The dolphin’s body is not adaptable to any pressure outside water. Pressing the abdomen of the dolphin to the floor can easily harm its internal organs. If you punch the abdomen of a person, you can imagine how painful it is. Regardless of whether it’s a few seconds or not, it’s wrong. It is animal cruelty,” he said.

Dubai Dolphinarium is a famous attraction for visitors to watch dolphins demonstrate circus-style tricks while on water. With special tickets, people can also swim with dolphins in water. Visitors can also hug, kiss and dance with them under the supervision of the trainers.

Recently, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), called on US theme park SeaWorld to “stop trainers from abusing dolphins by riding on their backs and standing on their faces”. It also asked the public not to swim with dolphins in July.

Source: Gulf News