Went today to the Dolfinarium Harderwijk and this was for the first time in about 25 years ! A whole lot has changed in that time and the animals were looking great. The rest of the park however was a great disappointment ! It looked like one big fun fair ! Everywhere small shops, restaurant, yes even a small gambling-hall ! Not my expections when I visit a zoo ! They do a lot of good work on sea mammal-keeping and breeding and also on sea mammal rehab. but all this fun fair stuff and all the shows.... Realy a pitty.
For me dolfinarium fits the Emmen bill, nothing has changed in years! The only thing the actively change is the big dolphin show. They had some changes to change things around but i'm afraid it's to late now. Too much dolphins, to much shows. They should have added some penguins/sea birds, more aquaria, and some other smaller marine mammals.
You are sure? Not being able to visit the dolfinarium last saterday, but seeing a member of the Bovinae group from a distance. Again this question, what specie?
I can't even think where they would put them (unless they own any nearby grassland that they could be grazing rather than mowing? Can't think where though). Certainly nowhere suitable even on a temporary basis when I was there (at least, not visible).
I grew up in a religion where gambling was frowned upon, even more so when in a place that was meant for children to be able to visit with their families. I'm kind of shocked...I don't expect this from a zoo at all. Is this common in Europe?
From memory, what vc calls a gambling hall is a 'penny arcade' amusements type of setup - which is undoubtedly gambling but also a standard children's/family seaside attraction, and (while it's probably not something I'd put in a zoo - just don't think it ties in well) it fits with the 'seaside resort' atmosphere that Harderwijk seems to aim for. I can't think of any other zoos that have this off the top of my head - I think it's specific to Harderwijk's theming (though doubtless it raises funds as well!).
@wensleydale: You don't have to look accross the Atlantic for this. The SeaWorld Parks have halls with electronic games since many years. Even if it is called "playing" instead of "gambling", it costs extra money and you can get addicted. But I'm agree completely, that this doesn't belong to a zoological institution, wherever it might be.
SeaWorld has it? Now I'm really shocked. In CT the only places where you can gamble (besides lottery tickets at the grocery store, our states stupidity tax) is in places like bars and the Indian Casinos where you need a ID to get in (you need to be 21 to enter these places in most cases). I think. I don't frequent these places. In other words, we don't really have that here. Maybe the real reason I don't see this is because the places I frequent are either non profit and very oriented towards not offending more religious/conservative individuals, or just don't have the means/it hasn't occurred to them. Or the laws governing gambling are too strict for them to even think about it. Either way there is no way I would support a zoological institution having this.
@wensleydale: Maybe my words were a little misleading: When you mean Roulette, Black Jack, Poker or things like that, then no: This is not what is going on at SeaWorld (at least not in the public areas) and afaik also not at Dolphinarium Harderwijk!. When you mean electronic games like packman, Super Mario or similar stuff, then yes, that's what you can play there. Electronic games are widely accepted, because you need some (manual) abilities for them and the goal is just to make points and not to win a huge amount of money. But in both cases you can only play with money and you can get addicted. So imo, when you play the religious card (sorry for that picture), then such electronic games do not fit as well. Lotteries by the way are accepted in many european zoos (specially in german zoos). It is, say, another way of fundraising, because the profit/gain will be spent to the zoo for specific projects (new exhibits, in-situ conservation).
You are not getting past some language barriers here. Our foreign posters are of the opinion that arcade/carnival games are no different to gambling.
Slot machines are gambling (by law), at least where I am, unless you can't win money or win some kind of dinky prize like a stuffed animal (I think, I'm not a lawyer). Raffles are a more common way to raise money here, for example a 50-50 raffle or getting some kind of special experience. Somehow those are allowed. Are slot machines considered a carnival game in Europe? Pac-Man, Space Invaders, etc. not gambling. But I wouldn't want to see them at a zoo. In my opinion there should be one place in the world where there are minimal electronic distractions. Besides, you don't go to the zoo to play space invaders. Sorry about any cultural misunderstandings. Anyway, what happened to the White Beaked Dolphin?
@wensleydale: It's up to me to say sorry. I didn't realize the difference in the terms gambling and playing arcade/carnival games. But hey, know I'm smarter!
New Walrus at Dolfinarium Harderwijk On Wednesday 6th of May, 6 year old walrus Olivia moved from Tierpark Hagenbeck in Hamburg to the Dolfinarium. When I visited today (8th May) I saw quite a few introductions happening mainly with Nikolai the male and one of the females who I believe was Raisa. There was some tension between Olivia and Nikolai when they were first put together as I witnessed them chasing each other through the pool and Olivia piercing him with her tusks. No serious damage though, just something you get when you put two new animals together. I'm sure they'll get used to one another. I also saw during one of the shows that they were using the four walruses (Nikolai, Raisa, Olga & Rasita) and that Olivia was standing on the side with another trainer sort of "watching". The photo I took today shows Olivia (left) meeting one of the other girls for the first time. Dutch Link: Dolfinarium verwelkomt walrus Olivia
Walrus Raisa Leaves Dolfinarium Raisa the walrus, who was born at the park in 2009, left for Germany on Monday night. She has been receiving crate training for many months, she left because she had no breeding opportunities in this group (Nikolai the male is her half brother). Apparently the transport went well and she is now at Tierpark Hagenbeck in Hamburg, Germany where walrus Olivia came from about 2 months ago. There, she will slowly be integrated with the other 5 walruses and hopefully can breed. Meanwhile, here at Harderwijk, it is hoped that 6 year old Olivia will breed with male Nikolai. So hopefully in the near future, we will see baby walruses either in Germany or The Netherlands. Walrus Raisa verhuisd
Animal abuse at Dolfinarium Hardewijk ?? : Animal abuse alleged at Dolphinarium in Harderwijk - NL Times
