The Evolution of Dolphin Entertainment in Indonesia

DENPASAR, BALI (4 April 2019) – In 1980, the concept of dolphin circuses was introduced in Indonesia. Dolphin, initially captured from the wild, began to be trained for performances at various locations. During the 1990s and 2000s, dolphin circuses became extremely popular, with many cities in Indonesia hosting these shows. Dolphins often performed in portable swimming pools that were transported from place to place.

However, in the 2000s, criticism of dolphin circuses began to rise, especially from animal rights activists. They criticized the poor conditions of captivity, the stress experienced by the animals, and the negative impacts on the dolphins’ mental and physical health. Campaigns to stop the use of dolphins in circuses started to spread widely.

Entering the 2010s, the government faced pressure to create stricter regulations regarding the capture and maintenance of dolphins. There were several initiatives to ban traveling shows that used marine animals, but their implementation remained inconsistent.

In 2017, some academics, animal practitioners, researchers, and business people discussed how best to utilize dolphins. They considered that these dolphins were no longer suitable for release into the wild and therefore needed to be cared for by conservation institutions. This led to the idea of establishing the Bali Exotic Marine Park, a conservation institution that could serve as an educational and recreational facility.

Dolphin Entertainment in Indonesia

At the Bali Exotic Marine Park, dolphins are not exhibited in circus-like performances. Instead, there are programs for direct and responsible interaction with the dolphins, where the animals only respond to gestures made by trainers, with no coercion involved. This approach allows the Bali Exotic Marine Park to serve as an example of how conservation institutions can provide sustainable education and recreation while ensuring the welfare of the animals.