Two dolphins died after marine park bosses gave a group of party animals (no pun intended) permission to host a rave just yards away from their pool.
Officials initially thought the deafening music from the rave may have killed dolphins Shadow and Chelmers, but after looking deeper into the situation, they discovered that the pair of dolphins may have died after ingesting drugs. Zoo vets are currently awaiting toxicology results to confirm their suspicion.
According to the Daily Mail, Shadow was the first dolphin to die shortly after the event. Chelmers died two days later after what Connyland zookeeper Nadja Gasser described as a “drawn out and painful” death.
“The death was very drawn out and painful. The death went on for over an hour. It was horrendous. I have not been able to sleep since,” told local media. “When we went to start the dolphin training we noticed the same thing that had happened to Shadow was happening with Chelmers. He was drifting under the water and was clearly in trouble and so we jumped into the water. We tried to hold him. He was shaking all over and was foaming at the mouth.
“Eventually we got him out of the water. His tongue was hanging out. He could hardly breath. He was given adrenalin, but it didn’t help. After an hour the dolphin died,’ she added.”
Gasser, a dolphin expert, continued, “I do not think Chelmers or Shadow died of natural causes. I think our dolphins have been poisoned.”
Before the event, wildlife experts and animal activists warned both the marine park and local planners of the dangers of hosting a rave so close to the dolphins.
One person said, “At this stage we don’t know whether they were poisoned or bludgeoned to death by the noise. But one thing is certain – two healthy dolphins don’t die within hours of each other for nothing.”
Connyland, located in Switzerland, has denied any wrong-doing, however, Swiss prosecutors have confirmed that they are investigating the deaths of both dolphins.
