#WhereIsMartina That’s the hot topic all over social media right now. Just what has become of the dolphin named Martinha, who was rescued after stranding on a Portugal beach back in 2007?
On October 23rd 2018 a coalition of eminent marine mammal scientists, conservationists and NGOs from around the world announced that they have been trying for years to uncover the truth about where Martinha is, in what conditions she is being held and what is her state of health?
Information taken from the website of Martinha’s Rescue coalition, says that Martinha was estimated to be 6 months old at the time of her stranding. The rescue was conducted by Quiaios Rehabilitation Center for Marine Animals (CRAM-Q) In the yard behind CRAM-Q, Martinha was held in a small tank of water, which was approximately 7m wide, 13m long and less than 2m deep.
On 23 March 2014, cetacean experts and advocates visited CRAM-Q and they were given permission to film and photograph Martinha in her tiny back yard pool, documenting the substandard facility and poor welfare conditions and producing a preliminary report.
On 21 August 2016, the Martinha’s Rescue coalition approached the Portuguese Wildlife Society (SPVS). It offered to work with SPVS & CRAM-Q to formulate a plan that would ultimately improve Martinha’s conditions.
SPVS & CRAM-Q claimed that the coalitions concerns were misplaced stating that a “much larger tank”of 800m² had recently been “finished and Martinha will be transferred shortly.” No evidence to support their claim was provided. An on-site visit with an independent team, including experts in cetacean rehabilitation and veterinarians was proposed by the coalition, to meet with staff and to evaluate Martinha’s situation.
On 13 February 2017, a letter was received from the Portuguese Government agency ICNF, on behalf of CRAM-Q. ICNF stated that Martinha would not be released because of ‘chronic’ and ‘cyclic’ medical conditions. ICNF also stated that Martinha is legally owned by the Portuguese Government. Additionally, half a year after CRAM-Q had stated Martinha would be moved to a larger tank, the ICNF stated that “In a [sic] near future she will be moved to another tank within the same facility, which is even larger … and 800m²”. Despite requests, the coalition have yet to receive evidence of this change.
In March 2017, another offer was made to meet with the Portuguese Government and appropriate stakeholders, regarding Martinha’s poor conditions to no avail, so in early October 2018, CRAM-Q was advised that the coalition would be asking the public to help find Martinha.
As of 25 October 2018, there is still no answer to the question – #WhereIsMartinha
Can you help? Please Sign the Petition and demand answers
Learn more about Martinha’s Story and Martinha’s Rescue coalition at martina.org Follow Martinha’s Rescue on Facebook and Twitter.
Always be polite.😊
Martinha~ Img: FozCanis-Hospital Facebook
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