Stop the Dolphin Slaughter at Mirage Hotel and Casino

Target: Joe Lupo, President of the Mirage Hotel & Casino

Goal: Demand the Mirage release its remaining captive bottlenose dolphins after a third dolphin died at their facilities within a 6-month period.

K2, a bottlenose dolphin who spent his entire life at Las Vegas’ Mirage casino died in early October, making him the third dolphin to die at the Mirage within the last past 6 months. While dolphins in the wild have an average life expectancy of 20 to 30 years—with a maximum ranging upwards of 65 years—the three who died were all between the ages of eleven and nineteen. The exhibit is temporarily closed so that experts can investigate the deaths; however, ticket sales are expected to resume on October 9th, just a few days after the incident.

Dolphins are highly social, free-ranging animals and being isolated from their friends and kin has damaging effects on their physical and psychological health. It has long been known that dolphins in captivity suffer stress and depression, resulting in appetite loss, ulcers, and increased susceptibility to various diseases. In fact, within the last 31 years, 16 dolphins have died at the Mirage alone.

Sign this petition to demand that the Mirage casino dedicate their efforts towards preparing the remaining dolphins to be released into the wild. No more dolphins should suffer this grim fate for their profit.

PETITION LETTER:

Dear Mr. Lupo,

Early this October, an 11-year-old bottlenose dolphin died at the Mirage Hotel and Casino, making it the third to die at this particular facility within the past 6 months. Over the course of the 31 years that the Mirage has been running, a total of 16 dolphins have died. Clearly, this is not an adequate setup for the dolphins–which can live up to 65 years in the wild. When in captivity dolphins grow extremely stressed, which can make them more susceptible to appetite loss, ulcers, and various diseases.

We are asking you, Mr. Lupo, to prevent any future acquisition of dolphins at your facility and work towards rehabilitating and releasing the dolphins currently in the Mirage’s possession.

Sincerely,

[Your Name Here]

Photo Credit: marcp_dmoz