Disney: Give Your Dolphins a Proper Retirement

Dear Jeff Vahle, President of Walt Disney World Resort; Josh D’Amaro, Chairman, Disney Parks; and Thomas Mazloum, President, Disney Signature Experiences,

For decades, Disney has been a pioneer of imagination, creativity, and innovation. From your timeless films to your unforgettable theme park experiences, you’ve inspired generations to dream big, care for the world around them, and embrace progress. One of the areas where Disney has consistently excelled is encouraging people —particularly children — to fall in love with the ocean and all its inhabitants through films like The Little Mermaid, Finding Nemo, and Moana.

These films have nurtured a deep appreciation and respect for the wonders of marine life in the hearts of children and adults alike. With this in mind, we urge you to take an important step toward embracing the values you’ve inspired in millions of individuals by offering a proper retirement to the dolphins currently living at Epcot, rather than relocating them to another marine park by sending them to Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park.

Gulfarium, since it opened its doors, has failed to report the deaths of at least six dolphins and has one of the highest death rates of any dolphinarium in the United States. We firmly believe moving them there is the wrong choice for their physical, mental and emotional well-being. In contrast, a sanctuary, would provide the dolphins with a true retirement, where they could live out the rest of their lives in a peaceful environment, and provide a safe space where they could engage in behaviors more attuned with their natural instincts.

Since 2019, 13-year old Izzy Megilley started Save the Disney Dolphins (SADD), a movement to end Disney’s captive marine mammal programs. In 2022, SADD together with Dolphin Project, launched a petition to ask that the captive dolphins at Epcot be retired — a petition which has gained 25,000+ signatures. While we recognize you’ve taken steps to remove them from your attractions, a change of location is not a change towards progress.

Walt Disney himself was known for his progressive ideas and forward-looking vision. His legacy of inspiring wonder and stewardship towards the environment lives on through Disney’s influence today. By choosing to retire the Epcot dolphins to a sanctuary, Disney would not only honor the mammals’ well-being, but also make a bold, pioneering statement that will be remembered as a turning point in marine conservation.

By combining Disney’s resources with Dolphin Project’s knowledge, passion, and expertise, together we can create a sanctuary that gives the dolphins a second chance at life. Created by Dolphin Project, the Umah Lumba Rehabilitation, Release, and Retirement Center in West Bali, Indonesia is the first and only permanent dolphin rehabilitation, release and retirement facility for formerly performing dolphins. It is the gold standard for dolphin care, and offers a model that can be replicated in other parts of the world.

Together, we can set a powerful example of what true conservation looks like, and, after years of performing for tourists, give the Epcot dolphins a retirement that they deserve.

With kind regards,

Richard O’Barry
Founder/Director, Dolphin Project