Image of

WHAT a tear-jerker! On Monday evening I attended a public presentation by Bayworld, at the Marine Hall, about our Port Elizabeth dolphins, Domino and Dumisa, now frolicking at Oceanworld in Hong Kong.

A most interesting and informative talk was presented by the director, Sylvia van Zyl, one of the vets and several other members of the team involved in transporting the dolphins to Hong Kong. (This team, by the way, has been accredited as one of the best internationally, for its performance).

Robyn Greyling, the head curator and main handler of the dolphins for 20 years, spoke with so much love and longing of these animals that I’m sure I wasn’t the only member of the audience blubbering into my handkerchief. Finally, a truly heart-warming documentary was shown (produced by Rooftop Productions of PE) which followed the history of the dolphins from the first appearance of Haig, and the mind-boggling preparation and journey of Domino and Dumisa to Hong Kong, clearly explaining the reasons for the move and hopes for the future.

My mind was certainly set at rest and any last lingering doubts I had about the motivation for the move of our precious dolphins were quelled. If you missed it, I’d recommend contacting Bayworld about getting hold of the documentary – it is the stuff of which fairytales are made!

I’d like to thank Bayworld, not only for the most unexpectedly wonderful experience I’ve enjoyed for a long time, but also for the awesome work they’ve been doing over the years. Words cannot express the devotion and dedication of these people to the dolphins.

I certainly will be praying the longing of their hearts and the hopes of many people of PE will be fulfilled when one day, hopefully not too far in the future, we welcome back to a new, world standard Bayworld, the next generation of our precious Port Elizabeth dolphins. – Maxine Waring, Port Elizabeth