By Amira Amr
Due to the Coronavirus pandemic all over the world and specifically Egypt, the dolphins specialized in Dolphin assisted therapy from the Dolphin Therapy Center Dolphina in Hurghada, have been transported to the one other branch of the center is Sharm El Sheikh.
According to Ali Maher, the lead Dolphin assisted therapist stated that because of the quarantine and how low the rate of patients and visitors has dropped, the center found that it will be more practical if the dolphins were moved to the Sharm El Sheikh branch as the expenses have become more difficult to cover. The quarantine caused by the coronavirus has put out many companies and offices out of business. It chased people into their homes, rendered them helpless and unable to work and earn a living. The world has stopped and production paused. But Dolphin Therapy centers have no option but to continue to work.
The reason behind that is that dolphins need constant care and attention. Not only is it because they are simply living creatures that should not be abandoned no matter what but also because of their extremely sensitive nature. Everything in their environment and living conditions must be calculated, secured and sanitized.
“We sanitized everything long before this pandemic.” said Ali Maher in an interview. “Kitchens where Dolphin food is prepared, are only open to masked, gloved and sanitized professionals. This is why this is such a delicate profession. Dolphins, especially domestic ones, living all their life in a protected environment, won’t be able to handle illness easily and will die.”
Now that it has become difficult to cover the electricity, gas and water bills, and maintain the center throughout the pandemic, the owners and managers of the Dolphina dolphin therapy center decided that it would be best to move the dolphins to the other branch as managing one branch would be a lot more easier in such a situation since there is no actual income as there are no clients due to the curfews and social distancing protocol.
“Five dolphins were moved to Sharm El Sheikh, their names being Stacy, Sergei, Sasha, Steven, and Masha.” Said Ali Maher, explaining that they are like his babies and that he wouldn’t be able to bring himself to abandon them in such a situation at least without the care of professionals such as those in Sharm El Sheikh.
