Münster All-Weather Zoo: Partner in the European Dolphin Exchange Programme

The dolphinarium at Münster’s all-weather zoo recently got an addition to its family. Three bottlenose dolphins were brought to Münster from the Harderwijk dolphinarium (Netherlands) by special transport. In return, the well-known dolphin by the name of “Nemo” left the Münster dolphinarium for Harderwijk. This exchange was made within the scope of the European Exchange Programme (EEP) for bottlenose dolphins, the most commonly known dolphin species. The EEP has the goal of establishing a stable dolphin population at European zoos. To accomplish this it is important that the animals are exchanged between the individual dolphinariums. Among other things, the studbook coordinator at the Komarden dolphinarium in Sweden makes sure that the animals are not inbred. Strict attention is also paid to where exactly the animals are sent so that stable dolphin groups are formed. The Harderwijk dolphinarium has been successfully breeding dolphins for many years and the three new animals in Münster were also born there. (eap)