A bottlenose dolphin named "Arang" swims with her calf (highlighted in a yellow circle). Courtesy of Hot Pink Dolphins

A baby bottlenose dolphin born on Aug. 28 at Geoje Sea World in South Gyeongsang Province, died just 10 days later, marking the third dolphin death at the facility this year, including the newborn calf.

Over the past decade, 15 dolphins have died there, earning the facility the grim nickname of " the whale graveyard" and "aquarium of death."

According to the Gyeongsangnam-do Provincial Government and the animal rights group Korean Animal Welfare Association, the baby dolphin was confirmed dead on Sept. 8.

The newborn was in poor health from birth. This latest death follows the passing of two dolphins used for performances — July and Nova — who died on Feb. 25 and 28, respectively.

A bottlenose dolphin named Mark performs during a dolphin show at Geoje Sea World in April last year. Mark was pregnant at the time. Courtesy of Hot Pink Dolphins

Controversial births within aquariums

Animal rights groups criticize Geoje Sea World for continuing to use dolphins for performances and breeding them for profit, despite the amendment to the Zoo and Aquarium Act last December.

The amendment prohibits the display of cetaceans as they are deemed unsuitable for exhibition and bans the acquisition of new animals, laying the groundwork for ending whale and dolphin exhibitions in domestic aquariums. However, Geoje Sea World's operations remain largely unchanged.

There is ongoing debate over whether births within aquariums constitute a violation of the ban on acquiring new animals.

In July of last year, the birth of a bottlenose dolphin named Mark was reported at Geoje Sea World, followed by the birth of Arang, a dolphin transferred from Pacific Resort (formerly Pacific Land) in April this year.

Animal rights groups argue that breeding within aquariums is illegal based on Articles 2 and 15 of the Zoo and Aquarium Act, but the government has said that further legal review is needed to determine if breeding falls under the new acquisition ban provision.

Animal rights groups have filed a complaint with the police against Geoje Sea World, alleging "illegal breeding" with the birth of Arang.

At Geoje Sea World in Irun-myeon, South Gyeongsang Province, a trainer and visitors make dolphins dance to music. Korea Times photo by Go Eun-gyeong

Dolphins forced to perform despite illnesses

An official at the Gyeongsangnam-do Provincial Government's Maritime and Port Division said, "We are communicating with the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries while awaiting legal interpretation."

While the amendment imposes penalties of up to two years in prison or fines of up to 20 million won ($15,000) for new acquisitions of cetaceans, it does not specify follow-up measures like confiscation.

Geoje Sea World faced backlash earlier this year for forcing July and Nova to perform while they were being treated for illness, with Nova even performing until four days before its death.

In response, the Korean Association of Zoos and Aquariums, composed of current and former veterinarians nationwide, issued a statement calling for health-compromised animals to be given treatment opportunities and for displays to be restricted.

Despite the ongoing breeding, Geoje Sea World has separated male and female dolphins, but issues identified during joint inspections last June and March — such as managing water temperatures using heat pumps — have not been addressed.

Animal rights groups argue, "Local governments, as licensing authorities, can issue corrective orders to aquariums and impose administrative sanctions, such as business suspension, if they fail to comply."

They urged local governments and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to use newly introduced professional inspectors to actively seek measures to regulate Geoje Sea World's operations.

A beluga whale at Geoje Sea World, is also used in shows under the guise of "ecological presentations." Courtesy of Hot Pink Dolphins

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.