WITH the departure of the two prize dolphins, Bayworld is spotlighting the themes of conservation, education and “the world in Algoa Bay”.

Bayworld director Sylvia van Zyl said yesterday although moving the dolphins to Ocean Park in Hong Kong was a loss for Port Elizabeth, there were a number of other attractions at the museum complex which would now be brought to the fore.

One of those attractions, and one of the keys to the rejuvenation of Bayworld, is the African penguin because of the leading role the institution has played for decades in rescuing and managing polluted and stranded animals and because of the predicament of the species today.

The African penguin is listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of endangered animals, and the islands in Algoa Bay are currently home to approximately 45% of the global population. “Bayworld is a major role- player in African penguin conservation, not only through its captive breeding programme, which has the potential to become a crucial conservation tool in future, but also in the husbandry, rehabilitation and research expertise of a number of staff,” Van Zyl said

“Our role is to continue to drive the message of conservation and education among our youth by way of exposing visitors to the world in Algoa Bay. Every year, Bayworld welcomes about 80000 pupils who benefit from gaining a greater understanding of why conservation is vital to the sustainability of our oceans,” she said.

“Domino and Dumisa really helped us to drive those messages home for our learners, but our team will continue to come up with new and exciting ways to communicate the value of preserving our planet.”

The dolphins were moved to Ocean Park in a major operation two weeks ago, to prevent possible second-generation in-breeding between them. Bayworld has documented the move right from the intensive training they underwent to teaching them to swim onto specially designed stretchers and de-sensitising them to new sounds, movement and people.

It captures the historic journey from Bayworld to the airport and then across the world to their new home at Ocean Park. Footage will continue to be shot of Domino and Dumisa until after they are introduced to the other Ocean Park dolphins, following their 30 days of quarantine. Once the documentary has been finished, it will be available for viewing at Bayworld. Meanwhile, and thereafter, the link will continue by tracking the dolphins‘ progress and well-being via an educational e-link with Ocean Park.

Collaborative veterinary science and research programmes are also planned.

In the short term, the existing public presentation programmes at the oceanarium will continue at 11am and 3pm. “Bayworld is currently looking at ways to expand these presentations so they will continue to enthrall.”

In an innovative and courageous move considering its limited budget, Bayworld has also decreased its entry fee to reflect the departure of the dolphins. Entry is R35 for adults, R20 for children and R25 for pensioners and students.