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WE INVITE ALL ACTIVISTS TO SUBMIT BLOGS ON THEIR CHOSEN CAUSE.
THIS BLOG PAGE IS NOT ONLY ABOUT CETACEAN RIGHTS.
​ IT IS ABOUT THE RIGHTS OF ANIMALS EVERYWHERE.

THE PERFECT PAIR DOLPHIN TRILOGY’S TRAINER CHALLENGES 'A REVIEW OF DOLPHINARIA' BY KLINOWSKA AND BROWN

16/1/2023

119 Comments

 
This historical information has never before been officially released. All dates are correct and taken from official dolphin logbooks long since thought destroyed.
Image of David C Holroyd, aka former head dolphin trainer, David Capello, with text about Klinowska & Brown report.1986 Klinowska & Brown Report, A Review of Dolphinaria
I'M THROUGH PUSSYFOOTING AROUND!
​With all the recent publicity surrounding the South Elmsall secret training pool, this is as good a time as any to put the record straight. As the former head trainer featured in The Perfect Pair Dolphin Trilogy book series, I learned my craft at this West Yorkshire location. It’s time that both public and activists knew the TRUE facts, so here they are laid out for all to read.
 
  • The pool was owned by John Nolan, a well-respected water-filtration engineer and a man considered to be well ahead of his time in his field.
  • The facility was leased to Entam Leisure, a subsidiary of the international conglomerate, The Trust House Forte group.
  • 17th February 1972 The first dolphins to arrive at the South Elmsall facility were Duchess and Herb’e (aka Flippa), more affectionately known as the Perfect Pair.
  • 25th March 1972 The second shipment of dolphins consisted of Scouse (blinded during a botched transport), Baby Dai (an illegally imported infant), Stumpy (deemed too sick to train) and Bubbles (transported whilst in shock and rumoured to have met a dubious end).
  • All the above dolphins shared the facility with a California sea Lion named Bobby (covertly shipped from Manchester Belle Vue Zoological Gardens following a catastrophic attack on a member of the public) and two Humboldt penguins named Smelly and Worse.
  • Date unknown The third shipment of dolphins consisted of Eccles, Twinkle and Blodwyn (also known as Big Mama).
  • The existence of the South Elmsall training facility was recognised by its inclusion in Jonathan Straight’s museum exhibition, Faces of South Elmsall, giving the South Elmsall Atlantean detainees a voice at last.
Image of David C Holroyd, aka former head dolphin trainer David Capello, with text about ill-fated dolphin Bubbles.
This Dolphin does not Exist.

​DAVID CAPELLO, HEAD TRAINER:
THE TRAINER THE UK CETA CHARITIES WOULD HAVE YOU BELIEVE NEVER EXISTED.


​The credits of David C Holroyd (stage name David Capello), the first trainer to graduate from the South Elmsall facility:
 
  • Opened onstage the premier dolphin show at Knowsley Safari Park Dolphinarium with a young Duchess and Herb’e.
  • Opened onstage the premier dolphin show at Woburn Abbey Safari Park Dolphinarium with Bonnie and Clyde.
  • Performed onstage the Royal Show at Woburn Abbey Safari Park Dolphinarium, exclusively for the Duke of Bedford, his titled guests and selected members of the press.
  • Became head trainer for Entam Leisure overseeing training programmes for Knowsley Safari Park, Woburn Abbey and Rhyl dolphinaria.
  • Offered Europe’s then only captive orca, Ramu III, by Gary Smart (Billy Smart’s Circus) at Windsor Safari Park.
  • The only UK trainer known to employ the connection mind-training technique.
  • The only UK trainer to achieve the Shadow Ballet (series of somersaults).
  • Entam Leisure’s only dolphin hand-catcher and trouble-shooter.
Image of dolphins Duchess and Herb'e, with names of UK dolphinaria run by Entam Leisure.
The Perfect Pair Dolphin Trilogy Locations Named.

I PUBLICLY CHALLENGE THE KLINOWSKA AND BROWN REPORT!


This official Government-commissioned report on UK dolphinaria did not name several of the early South Elmsall dolphins. The records of those it did name were riddled with inaccuracies, ie dates of arrival, dates and places of death. Why?
 
Why did such a vital piece of work close its eyes to the memory of these sad but magnificent Atlantean performers?
 
Could it be that those who supplied the information had a different agenda? Could it be that, such was their shame surrounding the treatment of the Entam dolphins, those involved chose to cover up the existence of certain dolphins, whilst falsifying the records of others?
 
I strongly believe this to be the case because the vast amount of information submitted to the researchers was presented by the captive cetacean industry itself. By this, I mean those people who worked for the UK aqua circus, ie owners, vets and animal celebrities who went on to build lucrative careers on the back of dolphin suffering.
Image of BBC Celebrity Terry Nutkins with text naming him as villain of The Perfect Pair Dolphin Trilogy book series.
BBC's Terry Nutkins Exposed

WHY DID THE UK CHARITIES CHOOSE TO BLACKLIST CAPELLO'S VITAL EXPOSE?

 
I refer you back to my last comment: animal celebrities, such as Terry Nutkins, who professed and sold himself to be a captive dolphin expert despite NEVER having trained a dolphin! A ploy that took him to great heights.
 
As most people are now aware, the villain of The Perfect Pair Dolphin Trilogy exposé was a character named Tommy Backhouse (a fictitious name designed to avoid legal problems at the time of publication).
 
Tommy Backhouse’s true name was of course Terry Nutkins, Entam’s then general manager. He became a famous 1980s presenter of animal programmes (most notably the BBC's Animal Magic and The Really Wild Show). He was also known to several charities because of his work with cetaceans and his links to naturalist and author, Gavin Maxwell - just one of the MANY reasons that might explain the UK ceta charities’ stubborn reluctance to support The Perfect Pair Dolphin Trilogy exposé.

(IMPORTANT NOTICE: The FIRST and so far ONLY UK ceta charity to recognise the truth of The Perfect Pair story is the WDC, when on 29th August 2023, it published David C Holroyd's guest blog in support of its End Captivity Forever campaign.)  A former UK dolphin trainer reflects - Whale and Dolphin Conservation

However, what cannot be explained is why a UK ceta charity director, Margaux Dodds of Marine Connection and Dolphinaria-Free Europe, covertly tried to discredit the exposé, asking other charity directors NOT to support it – a shameful stifling of the truth that, to my mind, has cost the lives of many captive dolphins ... dolphins she says she wants to save!
Article with images of David C Holroyd, aka David Capello, and entrepreneur, Jonathan Straight, promoting Jonathan's Faces of South Elmsall project.Scan of illustrated article about the South Elmsall dolphins.
So, there you have it: a web of skulduggery to maintain a cover-up that was hatched by the UK captive industry over 50 years ago - sadly, a mantle that the ceta charities have happily taken up. This well-orchestrated ghosting has now failed BIG-TIME thanks to photographer and entrepreneur Jonathan Straight’s South Elmsall museum exhibition - not forgetting the brave journalism of Olivia Hale and the Yorkshire press, who have each done their bit in getting out the truth about the existence of South Elmsall’s secret pool. Their coverage has helped to give the ill-fated South Elmsall dolphins a voice, and has spurred many hard-hitting interviews.
 
So, thank you Olivia Hale, The Yorkshire Post, Wakefield Express, Pontefract and Castleford Express and all those smaller online media outlets who took this story to their hearts. Also, a big thank you to Janek Andre and Lisa Jewell of WeWhale, Erica Salvemini of The Rising Lioness podcast and Kimberly Ray of Marine Conservation Network. Links to all interviews can be found on our website: Videos
 
To finish, as the former trainer of all the dolphins mentioned above, I am sorely aware that I cannot undo my wrongs. However, I can shine a light on the truth – a truth that has been so long denied to ceta activists globally.
Image of David C Holroyd, aka David Capello, with text re dolphin captivity.
David C Holroyd, aka David Capello, Troublemaker and Whistle-blower.
Thus, I dedicate this blog to my precious Atlanteans: Duchess, Herb’e, Scouse, Baby Dai, Stumpy, Bubbles, Blodwyn (Big Mama), Eccles, Twinkle, Bonnie and Clyde, and all those other innocents who were doomed to swim in their wake. Please forgive!

Not forgetting Bobby the troublesome sea lion, the two tiny Titan penguins Smelly and Worse and, last but not least, the little elephant Captain - always in our hearts.
 
Thanks for reading. I WILL answer all questions and comments addressed to this blog as truthfully as I possibly can, so don't be shy. NOTHING is off the table. Get involved!

David C Holroyd, aka David Capello, former head trainer, Entam Leisure, Trusthouse Forte.

Click on the links below to read more about the South Elmsall dolphin-training pool.

South Elmsall Stories - The Dolphinarium (facesofsouthelmsall.com)

Dolphins in a West Yorkshire swimming pool | Faces of South Elmsall | Jonathan Straight - YouTube

The Perfect Pair Dolphin Trilogy Book Series Authors' Blog
​
'The worst kept secret in Pontefract' - the Manchester-born dolphin trainer turned animal activist who trained dolphins, sea lions and penguins at a South Elmsall swimming pool

'Cars stopped to watch the sea lion chase him up the street' - How Bobby the sea lion saved a South Elmsall dolphin trainer from a 'thumping'

David C Holroyd, aka David Capello - WikiAnimal
119 Comments
Tracy J Holroyd link
17/1/2023 11:54:54

An excellent blog, but I would like to make comment about one of the authors of A Review of Dolphinaria, Dr Margaret Klinowska.

You have always suggested that the catalogue of inaccuracies in the report was down to manipulation of the facts by the captive industry – especially when speaking about your Entam dolphins. Bearing that in mind, I recently viewed a YouTube video, which was an excerpt from a 1991 BBC nature series, Must the show go on? In it, Dr Klinowska speaks about her findings when researching for the report, and comments on research carried out by others.

Surprisingly, for an academic, she speaks of ‘data’, but neglects to give details of how it was collected and by whom. She delivers woolly, unsubstantiated conclusions, which she uses to try to justify the keeping of dolphins in captivity. She speaks of (what sounded like) a limited physiological study of dolphins but makes no mention of studies into the psychological damage suffered by captive dolphins in general.

The conclusion of the report advised that the captive environment for cetaceans should be upgraded, but it didn’t advise that cetaceans should not be kept in captivity.

Knowing what we do about cetacean captivity, this was a heavily flawed piece of research. I suspect that Klinowska had indeed been seduced by the pro-captivity propagandists, as you suggest in your blog, and that the report was heavily influenced by her preconceptions … and even more by her gullibility.

Reply
David Capello link
17/1/2023 15:05:08

Thanks for commenting, Tracy. As most ceta activists know, the Klinowska and Brown report signalled the end of the UK aqua circus, proving what I have always said about the companies that ran these so-called entertainment venues: dolphin welfare comes a very poor second to making money!

I say this because, in truth, it was the UK captive dolphin industry’s refusal to implement the recommendations of the Klinowska and Brown report due to financial costs that eventually brought it down. You can add to that the high mortality rate suffered by captive UK dolphins; living company assets that were becoming hugely expensive to replace.

On a good point, despite what I deem to be her pro-captivity sympathies, her report and recommendations proved to be a hammer blow to a UK industry that should have been consigned to history a decade before.

Reply
Wendy Raynor
20/1/2023 15:01:15

I've never made a comment on one of your blogs before, because I'm not an animal activist, but I am a huge fan of your dolphin books. So I can well understand your disappointment and frustration at the lack of support from UK charities, as I would have thought that they would have jumped at the chance to expose the terrible treatment dished out to your Entam dolphins. But what I find even more shameful is that a UK charity director actually went out to try and discredit your story. Why would she do that, David?

Reply
David Capello link
20/1/2023 16:27:24

Why indeed, Wendy? Why would Margaux Dodds and her then cohort Gaye Hunter dedicate so much of their time trying to discredit me and my expose, when they could have spent their valuable time saving dolphins? A question you would need to ask them. However, I have my own theories:

Could it be that these self-professed cetacean experts feared the arrival of someone who has actually worked hands-on with captive dolphins and knows the industry inside out?

Could it be that they were afraid that I would set up a rival charity to relieve well-meaning activists of their hard-earned cash?

Who knows? However, what I do know is that it was their poison that turned the UK charities against this expose, which was a shame, as The Perfect Pair Dolphin Trilogy was never produced to threaten the charities. It was done to work alongside the charities; to help spread their message about the horrors of the aqua circus.

Thanks for commenting, Wendy, and a huge thank you for supporting my story.

Reply
Tracy J Holroyd link
22/1/2023 10:12:53

As the co-author of these award-winning books, and someone who has contributed money to animal rights charities since the age of 10, I wanted to reply to this comment. We seriously believe that the blocking perpetrated by the charities and their activist supporters is down to professional jealousy. It galls me that the pro-cap elements that were attacking us were able to cease their heinous activities and leave it all to the anti-cap elements instead. All our trouble came from Margaux Dodds' clique. This charity director has her sticky fingers in many pies.

But for those who envy David Capello's uncanny ability to bond with the cetacean mind, and envy his time working closely with these magical beings, please remember that the whole experience proved horrific for Capello himself. Three nervous breakdowns and mental scars that will remain with him forever.

Just thank God that it wasn't YOU!

GuckyTheGerbil
1/5/2025 17:26:45

Who would think that the poison of the wannabe animal rights activists from then "Twitter" still hits me on social media platforms about 10 years after these silly and unnecessary fights?
I never understood the jealousy of them towards The Perfect Pair and their supporters.
But I know that you both, Tracy and David, always said that you are not publishing the truth to earn money! But to help the imprisoned cetaceans of our modern, yet so cruel world with abusive zoos and circuses!

David Capello link
20/7/2025 15:17:09

Social media is full of twisted people wearing masks, Gucky, a little clique that tells the world what caring individuals they are, when all they really care about is jealously attacking those of us whom they view as a danger to their self-importance. The main reason why I pulled off Twitter (X), as I saw no point in trying to communicate with those who use their false activism as a tool to cause trouble … So, I decided to dump those negative vampires, and I haven’t looked back since. Thanks for your comment, Gucky.

Craig Nico
5/2/2023 11:03:11

The South Elmsall facility.

No matter where you turn, this "secret" UK dolphin training center always comes up. This is the facility that has been surrounded by controversy for years!!! Once a well-guarded secret, but a secret no more...

For years, I have heard and read about the unspeakable horrors associated with this pool - the torture many beautiful Atlanteans endured year after year. This is definitely something that resonates with me.

I have read The Perfect Pair Dolphin Trilogy twice. I have read about the dolphins:

• Stumpy - the nicest dolphin who was tragically doomed from the beginning.
• Baby Dai – the illegally transported infant.
• Scouse - blinded during a botched transport from the US to the UK.
• Bubbles – the one who broke my heart. Bubbles was subjected to so many horrible force feeds, and, if that wasn’t bad enough, her death was definitely (we'll use the word) "questionable".
• Then, there was the top performing pair: Duchess and Herb’e, AKA The Perfect Pair. The atrocities they endured and their tragic deaths. The horror of the price they (and others) paid cannot be expressed in words. Every time I think about them, I am crushed.
• Then, of course, we mustn’t forget the California sea lion Bobby and the penguins Smelly and Worse.

Keep in mind, much of the torture inflicted on these dolphins happened before they even arrived at the South Elmsall facility (capture, transport, etc). That's where the real nightmare began, and it never ended until each and every one of them tragically died – and way too soon.

I can attest to the fact that David is speaking the truth when it comes to story blocking by the charities. To my horror, I discovered that these (let me go with) “anti-charities”, by their actions, are covertly supporting the aqua circus. Let’s face it, the continuation of the captive industry is vitally important to them, because fighting it is how they make their money. Their appeals tell us what we want to hear, but once they’ve got our money, their pathetic inaction and efforts to undermine whistle-blowers like David only further promote the abuse.

I myself have reached out to several charities about David Capello’s expose. The result??

• PETA blocked me on all social media once I started asking questions.
• I then reached out to the WWF, only to be stonewalled by them as well. Not even a single reply.
• When I questioned Marine Connection, I was told a plethora of lies and, later, ignored.
• I even reached out to Lorena López, a former dolphin trainer whistle-blower. I found her interesting because the World Animal Protection org. website said: "Documentary: former dolphin trainer reveals hidden cruelty behind the industry. An ex-trainer explains how the captive dolphin industry misleads tourists about animal cruelty." I immediately thought, "BAM! this is it!!! This is perfect!!! This is what David Capello has been constantly talking about, and now another trainer is exposing the truth in another country. What could possibly go wrong?” I reached out to them, and their response was, "We'll get back to you". I received that same response about five times, then they just flat out ignored me. I later found out that this charity once contacted David asking him to join their campaign against the aqua-circus, then – with no explanation - they dropped him!

If memory serves me correctly, it all points back to Margaux Dodds of Marine Connection, who is VERY close to this charity – amongst others. David had no falling out with this org., but it is UK-based, which was bound to cause trouble because of his continuing conflict with the UK charities.

So, who are the major players involved in the blocking? Is it the late Terry Nutkins’ supporters and past work colleagues? Is it Margaux Dodds, the director of Marine Connection? Could it be Ric O'Barry? He claims to be an American activist, but if you knew the truth about him, you would know he's anything but.

David Capello has always said that he would be willing to debate and prove everything he is saying, yet all these anti-charities want nothing to do with him and seem afraid of getting involved in any discussion. I'm assuming that they think if they remain silent, David will just go away, but I truly believe there are many activists like me who won’t allow that to happen.

So, let's fast forward to 2022. To my mind, the South Elmsall museum exhibit is extremely important because this is where the proof of David’s story can be seen - the very proof that so many HOPED had been destroyed long ago. Well, now it's there for everyone to see! The day this exhibit opened was the day that everyone should have finally believed everything David had been saying. That was the day of validation for Capello.

David, I love that you literally blew the lid wide open on the who's who!

Reply
David Capello aka David C Holroyd link
5/2/2023 12:03:25

Wow, Nico! Where to start answering your mammoth comment! You have touched on so many aspects of this blog.

First, you are spot-on regarding the West Yorkshire museum exhibit. The Perfect Pair Dolphin Trilogy book series’ inclusion in this project has officially validated my expose and the existence of the South Elmsall training facility. Even better, it has given a voice to those early, ill-fated dolphins whom activists have grown to love. It has also clarified the mishmash of half-truths that the UK charities have been promoting about the South Elmsall facility on their websites. So, for those of you who demand to know the truth about this secret training pool, please read the blog – because I was THERE! I am the ONE whistle-blower who experienced FIRST-HAND what happened behind the closed doors of this facility - not a self-professed charity expert playing guessing games to extort money from cash-strapped activists.

As for PETA, the charity that refused to answer you, then blocked you, don’t take it personally. The blocking of activists who ask embarrassing questions is common policy with these orgs. Most charities will do this, as I’m sure many of those reading this comment can testify. Sadly, most of those who run these money-making orgs care only for profit … none worse than those in the UK; a collective clique that houses the same names over and over again; names such as the esteemed Margaux Dodds.

You also mentioned the ceta celebrities, those who have made a lucrative living off the back of dolphin suffering. People like Ric O’Barry. (My opinion of this man is well-known.) Also the late BBC presenter, Terry Nutkins – a person I worked with for the best part of three years. A psychopath who cared for nothing but his own ego, and who openly admitted having no love for dolphins. I could go on, but there is little point.

I’ve given the activist camp an expose that, if supported, could close the aqua circus. It’s up to them whether or not they act on it.

Thank you again for your tremendous comment, Nico, and for your unwavering support over the years.

David Capello, aka David C Holroyd

Reply
Shelley Guinn
11/8/2025 22:27:53

Thank you Craig. I love your comment. And all this information about the “anti-charities” just backs up David even more.

Reply
David and Tracy link
12/8/2025 13:59:48

Thank you for replying to Craig Nico’s comment, Shelley. Judging by the number of complaints about ceta charities, it appears that you, he and a great many others now view these so-called charitable orgs with utter disdain. Not surprising – their total disregard for both activists and whistle-blowers alike does little to enhance their big-shot reputations, which is why so many whistle-blowers are now reaching out to The Perfect Pair Dolphin Trilogy.

Unlike the charities, we do NOT indulge in PC tiptoeing when it comes to the protection of our stricken Atlanteans, a fact proven by the ever-growing band of marine park workers who are now contacting us with their horror stories.

So, for all those broken people who have managed to escape this dreadful business, please get in touch and expose this vile industry for what it is!

Shelley Guinn
21/4/2025 13:11:57

Hello David!
May I commend you on a great blog. Thank you for putting it ALL out there. No more hiding under that rock for any of them!!! They know they cannot intimidate you, threaten you or shut you up. The proof you keep giving the world is undeniable. You would think the museum exhibit (which by the way is amazing) would have put any questionable doubt to rest. It always has and always just blows my mind that charities (or as Nico says..ANTI-Charities) are so ruthless. I despise the day I ever supported the same charities you both mention. It’s just disgusting to know that these charities care nothing about the dolphins, but only about making money. Which should never be a factor for anyone claiming they want to “SAVE DOLPHINS!” Any charity that disputes the validity of your exposé, along with all proof you have presented and tries everything in their power to block this just proves how dishonest and even corrupt that their organizations are. They may as well side with the captive industry. To me if you are not for something and support that cause then you are against it!
You cannot claim to be fighting against captive Facilities yet do what they have done to keep you from exposing what you know FIRST HAND about this industry. And you have proof.
You have definitely ruffled their feathers and have shown their true colors.
The fact that you continue to fight for our Atlanteans despite all the opposition, backlash, hatred you have encountered, the physical and emotional toll it has taken on you and using your OWN $$$ to get this out there is just a testament to your dedication, your honesty, and your true love for our Atlanteans. Anyone can and should see this.
Piggy backing more on Craig Nico’s comment…I too having read the Trilogy (several times) it never ceases to amaze me the underhanded BS that this facility did. After learning the teal names of these characters was a huge eye opening experience. It is flabbergasting to know these so called celebrities are just frauds!!
Learning about these dolphins from your eyes..your heart..and your personal connection to them was truly a journey in itself for me. I always knew these facilities were horrid. But you have definitely exposed the dark underbelly side of the whole operation. No wonder they all despise you and what you have done and are doing!!! Which is even more proof how they want it all to remain “a secret!”
But you have continued to fight them all..to persevere with your mission. You have come a very long way and are succeeding.
Duchess and Herb’e..your beloved Perfect pair, Stumpy, Scouse, Baby Dia, Bubbles..all of them have a voice thru you.
The atrocities they endured and their tragic deaths truly devastates me. And like Nico, The horror of the price they (and others) paid cannot be expressed in words. Every time I think about them, I am too am crushed. I cry just thinking about them.
I could say alot more but I think I have gotten my point across.

Your remarkable ability to connect (with the Dolphins..and yes even me) I know I don’t have to express my heart..you know how compassionate I am about this issue.

Thank you David for all you have done and for all you continue to do!! I look forward to all articles, interviews and blogs. Keep um coming and I will keep sharing and do my part to help.
God bless you!

Reply
David and Tracy link
22/4/2025 09:37:05

What a lovely, heart-warming comment, Shelley; full of insight and compassion. Over the many years we’ve known you, we have seen you to be, not only a great activist, but also a huge supporter of The Perfect Pair Dolphin Trilogy book series.

As you have rightly observed, our journey to bring this expose to the public has been fraught and exhausting, made worse by the charity director Margaux Dodds and the little clique that supports her UK charity Marine Connection. Over a decade ago, this woman purposely set out to discredit both Tracy and me - a flood of spite from a woman whom we had never met. Sadly, over 10 years later, the poison she so maliciously injected into the other ceta charities has proven impossible to cleanse, only the WDC (Whale & Dolphin Conservation) having the courage to embrace the truth of our story.

You also mention the funding of our activism, Shelley, which has proven to be financially crippling. Regardless, both Tracy and I have borne all the costs, never once asking fellow activists for donations … unlike the ceta charities and some other ex-trainers who find an alternative way to profit from Atlantean suffering.

There isn’t much more to add, because you are spot-on with all you have said, so let us finish by saying a huge thank you for taking the time to write this lovely, uplifting message.

Reply
Tracey Ozdemir
21/4/2025 15:50:50

I have the impression that a few of these charities engage in behaviour that is the opposite of what they claim, as they seem to be aware of where their financial support is derived.
Marine Connection highlights its commitment to cetacean preservation through a variety of practical initiatives. These include offering support to solitary cetaceans, monitoring their sightings, and raising awareness among the public. Marine Connection also strives to end captivity, prevent wild captures, and promote responsible interactions with these marine species.
I find it puzzling how "Hands On" is relevant here, given that they don't seem to participate on the frontlines. David, you and Tracey are fully aware of my knowledge about Ric O'Barry and have witnessed firsthand that his focus is mainly on financial profit.
Given that these charities aim to eliminate the captivity of cetaceans, one would expect them to embrace you, David, a man with firsthand experience and insight into the behind-the-scenes realities. You possess the potential to significantly impact the fight against captivity. However, instead of welcoming you, they seem to reject you and attempt to silence your voice. This behaviour clearly indicates a significant discrepancy between their stated intentions and their actual actions.
This could be streamlined if we were all aligned in our understanding. If intentions were sincere, the work would have been accomplished by now. Yet, I can't shake the feeling that, similar to the industry, the emphasis is on profit and ego.
Your assistance was invaluable in my case regarding the removal of a dolphin's teeth, which was kept in horrific conditions in a dilapidated park in Marmaris Turkey. I recognise that your expertise and the evidence you provided significantly strengthened our position. Since we share a common objective and you possess the necessary experience, I sought your help. Our aim is to put an end to these dreadful facilities. It perplexes me why they do not embrace your involvement in this cause, leading me to suspect that their true intention may be to maintain their own interests and profits rather than genuinely seeking to resolve the issue.
You are the first choice for support in this field, and I truly respect your dedication. Keep striving, David; we are here to back you up.

Reply
David C Holroyd, aka David Capello link
22/4/2025 10:56:00

Thank you for taking the time to comment, Tracey - I am well aware that you don’t have much time as your work as an animal activist is all-consuming.

Those who claim that The Perfect Pair Dolphin Trilogy is a historical account with no bearing on the workings of the present-day aqua circus are spouting modern-day dolphinaria propaganda. This is proven by the efficacy of the expert witness statement you asked me to write for your court case against the Marmaris Dolphin Park in Turkey – a modern-day horror that HAPPENED!

The monstrous abuse that took place in that torturous hellhole still tears at my heart. I still shudder to think of the agony inflicted on that defenceless dolphin when the owner callously instructed a vet to pull out all the dolphin’s teeth in pursuit of money. Even in my ‘historical’ heyday, I never heard of such a heinous and barbaric act! Food for thought for all those who want to discredit my expose and those ignorant people who support ‘swim with dolphins’ programmes.

As for Margaux Dodds of the UK charity Marine Connection … what more can I say about her skulduggery? But, as is seemingly the way in this day and age, instead of admitting that they had been duped by her lies, many activists and global ceta charities chose to double down and embrace their cancel culture – SHAME ON THEM! Thank goodness that the WDC (Whale & Dolphin Conservation) had the bottle to break ranks by inviting me to write a guest blog.

As for Ric O’Barry and his Dolphin Project’s blatant protectionism of his status as the planet’s only dolphin saviour, he’s welcome to it! I refuse to sell my soul for money.

Thank you for writing this detailed comment, which deserved a detailed answer. And thank you for telling me how my witness statement helped to close down that Turkish dolphinarium of horrors. You made me feel very proud, Tracey!

Reply
Tracy J Holroyd link
9/5/2025 11:39:20

What a terrific endorsement of our work, Tracey. Your words of support mean a great deal to both of us, especially David who works so hard behind the scenes to educate the public about the horrors inflicted on captive cetaceans.

As you well know, David has had a raw deal with a large section of the UK ceta activists and charities because of the despicable actions of Margaux Dodds and Gaye Hunter of Marine Connection. Two women who tried to curry favour with the former US trainer Ric O’Barry by going out of their way to discredit both David and his story. Sadly, this poison has been impossible to neutralise in the ranks of those infected. So, a huge thank you for highlighting the importance of David’s expert-witness statement in your court case against the Marmaris Dolphin Park.

Your closing this place down was a hard-earned success that really lifted our spirits, proving that the horrific abuse we described in The Perfect Pair Dolphin Trilogy was not just a historical account, but a present-day reality. One perfectly illustrated by the heinous dolphin tooth-pulling carried out by the Marmaris Dolphin Park vets - sub-humans who sold their souls for money.

I could go on about this present-day horror show, but there would be little point because you have your result. YOU CLOSED THIS HELLHOLE DOWN!

So, thank you again for highlighting the part that David’s testimony played in bringing down this Turkish horror show, and for making both David and I feel valued by those who matter.

You have allowed us to play our part in helping our stricken cetaceans, where others would not!

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Russell Hockins link
21/4/2025 18:07:26

I have been involved in three interspecies communication projects and I am in the middle of the fourth. Link to that here

https://www.facebook.com/groups/randyspeak

One of the other three projects was Lilly's Project JANUS.

The other two were private ventures that dealt more on the metaphysical side involving telepathy/empathy with free swimming dolphins. One in Australia and one in Baja California, both of which had some interesting results.

Though I have never been a trainer, nor had any 'special training' that some facilities claim of their trainers, I have had much 'hands on' time with several young Orcas when Sea World San Diego had juvenile Orcas in their Dolphin Petting Pool where they could interact freely with the public with NO TRAINER OVERSIGHT for these public interactions.

Yes, you read that correctly

There were a total of four Orcas, first singly then in pairs, that were rotated through the pool, during the year (1980) I visited the park to interact with them.

This was three ownership changes and many trainer ago so I seriously doubt the current owners of the park know these events even happened.

Photos here

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1634120453478&type=3

I did not know their (human) names at that time, though years later I was able learn them along with their estimated ages at time of capture.

SWC-00-7801 - Kotar - male - 3 to 5 - died - 01/04/1995

SWC-00-7804 - Kasatka - female - 5 - died - date unknown

SWC-00-7806 - Katina - female - 4 ALIVE SWF

SWC-00-7705 - Canuck 2 - male - 5 - died 02/08/1981

During their time in this pool I was able to gain their friendship and trust. Not with the food induced interaction used by their trainers, but with patience and trust building. On multiple occasions, I risked getting a broken arm or having fingers bitten off to show my trust in them. I believe this happened at a faster than usual rate as the bottlenose in the pool already knew me well and this was observed by the Orcas. When there was only one Orca in the tank, whenever it came over to check me out when no dolphin was, 5-6 dolphins would quickly come over and 'escort' him away. This stopped when they started putting two Orcas in the tank. It was interesting to watch the 'social dynamics' change in the pool when they did this.

I have written about some memorable interactions here.

https://www.deviantart.com/0rcinusorca/posts

On many occasions I observed the trainers from the Orca show watching me from the far side of the pool. However, on the times I walked over to them to ask questions, they would run off (literally) back to the Orca show. I now believe this was because I was wearing a ballcap from a different facility more than anything else. I did not know at the time about the lack of relationship between the various parks.

These four interacted with the visiting public with no trainer oversight for over a year and No One Was Ever Hurt. EVER. I think this speaks very highly of their intelligence and restraint towards their situation as they, at that point, were still new to captivity.

At that time, I did want to be a trainer so I could work with cetaceans. These interactions changed my mind within a week.

Cetaceans know the rythms of the oceans far better than humans. It would be in the best interests of both (and all other) species if we communicated with them and used their counsel to undo the damage humans have done.

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David C Holroyd, aka David Capello link
23/4/2025 10:57:18

Thank you for your comment, Russell … Gosh! Where to start!

Although I personally didn’t agree with Dr. Lilly’s methods (I found them deeply disturbing), there is no doubt in my mind that he was a pioneer in the study of the dolphin telepathic link. Sadly, if I have my facts right (you would know more about this than I), much of his work was discredited due to his habitual use of LSD. Even so, I would be the first to admit that he was well ahead of his time by acknowledging this telepathic link.

Russell, you have certainly piqued my interest about your work in the JANUS Project and your continuing studies into cetacean telepathy – something, as you might already know, I refer to as the Atlantean mind connection, the backbone of my award-winning book series, The Perfect Pair Dolphin Trilogy.

You state that you have never been a trainer or received special training in ceta communication, which proves that the gift of Atlantean telepathy is not just reserved for the few ‘gifted trainers’, but is also available to all who choose to embrace it.

As for trainers, when I have met these so-called ceta professionals, it was always clear that most of them cared more about promoting their big-shot images than trying to mentally bond with their captive charges.

You also reveal that, in your past, you were able to visit a ceta petting pool, something that I doubt you would have the privilege of doing in today’s crazy world of health and safety.

As you vividly recollect, the imprisoned Atlanteans in the pool came to you without any expectation of reward, an act of trust seasoned with a large amount of curiosity and infatuation. This shows that any promise of fishy reward fell well short of your Atlanteans’ desire to get to know you. Sadly, as you so rightly say, social dynamics in captivity quickly change, especially so in a commercial training environment.

As for the trainers running off when they mistakenly deemed that you were from a rival venue – please don’t worry, because this type of behaviour is instilled in the employees of all rival companies. I remember this vividly when meeting a trainer from another company: I was greeted not with a proffered hand but with an angry snarl, a macho challenge openly encouraged by all aqua-circus managers.

After reading your comment, I felt it clearly showed that you, like me, are just another victim to be seduced by these intoxicating people of the sea. A tale that sadly never ends well for either party, when we are forced to say our final goodbyes to our Atlantean friends.

To finish, thank you for having the courage to speak out about ceta telepathy, Russell, because as you will already be aware, most people won’t. Let’s hope that your blog comment stimulates further debate.

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Russell Hockins
23/4/2025 18:42:15

Thank You David.

I'm not sure what of Lilly's methods you are referring to. I have seen many other posts regarding his work and the misconceptions people have about the work that was done. They also blur the line, or don't see any line between the Project JANUS work in the 1980s and his earlier work in St. Thomas in the 1980s. They are or were very different projects. If you can be more specific, I will try to provide an answer

DEC Computers who suppled the PDP-11A computer for the project had their own magazine (amusingly) called Hard Copy. In 1984 they did an article on the project. I have created a PDF copy of the article and provide a link to it on my dropbox account. You will see me in one of the article photos.

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/92ha4yjzzujq1pwzupq6j/JANUS-DEC-Article.pdf?rlkey=rptscoo3nao3esh2o2z0gll1i&st=8ci0enjy&dl=0

I don't know if the two projects that researched the telepathic/empathic connection would count as 'training' as both years after my visits to Seaworld and both were over a decade apart. Though to this day I do get visited in my dreams so the connection is still strong. They are aware of the work I'm doing.

I have also read several books about cetacean communmication. One in partricular with Orcas, Granny the Orca specficially. I was intrigued by the singular reference in the book by Granny to what she called 'The Council'. This is the only reference to what might be considered 'government' or a 'social contract' and speaks very strongly to a highly developed social structure. What are your thoughts on this?

I don't know if you have worked with Orcas or just Dolphins (yes, the Orca is the larges Dolphin) but I found a difference in communicating with both. I know there are differences between individuals, but this was somehow different.

The current project I'm involved with is to make a better, more adaptable device that the military has has since the 1940s. Originally for communication with submarines

It's called the UQC, aka Nancy. This is the deviced used by Cousteau to communicate with his underwater habitat, which he called an 'Underwater Telephone'. It was also use in the movie "The Abyss' to contact the bottom station when the surface ship lost their crane. It was also a civilian version of this device that allowed the diver at the National Aquarium in the early 2000s that allowed him to hear NoC the Beluga saying the words "Get Out". I will point out at this time that NoC was a former military cetacean before being aqquired by the National Aquarium.

We are making this device since telepathy/empathy is not widely accepted in the scientific commuity nor is every human capabable or accepting of such communication. This will provide cetaceans with way to 'speak' such that humans will be able to hear and understand them and respond back. Somewhat similar to the Universal Translator in Star Trek and other SciFi. Though this is definately NOT SciFi as NoC has proven.

The device will be cheap and easy to replicate so anyone can make their own and start communicating.

Robert Anderson
14/9/2025 21:38:26

Russell, I've lost your email, would like to get in touch (orca stuff).

Here's the peer-reviewed version of what Russell is talking about:
Animals 2016, 6(8), 49; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani6080049
Russell's experiences are in it

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David C Holroyd, aka David Capello link
26/4/2025 11:03:08

Hello Russell, my website will only allow one personal reply, so I'm writing this as a separate add-on comment, because I felt that your questions deserved an answer. Sorry for any inconvenience.

During our last exchange, I said that I had never studied Atlantean telepathy on a scientific level as you have. My basis for promoting this phenomenon was brought about purely by my own experiences.

I was a teenager from the early 1970s who was lucky (or unlucky) enough to have been picked from hundreds of candidates to be trained as a dolphin presenter by a leading UK leisure company. However, my ability to activate the psychic link with my dolphins was immediate! In fact, it happened within seconds of my first encounter. This was with an Atlantean princess who I later named Duchess.

This mental connection not only grew stronger over time but stayed with me into old age - proven when I starred in an anti-captivity film with wild dolphins. A psychic link that you too state has remained with you to this very day.

When I speak about Dr Lilly’s methods, I refer to a TV documentary that I partly watched many decades ago. I say, “partly watched”, because what I viewed was a dolphin out of water and clearly distressed, encased in a plastic tube with cups over its eyes to prevent it from seeing. This image so disturbed me that I fled into another room to scream.

I don’t know the documentary’s title, because it was such a long time ago, but I viewed this “scientific” study with such negativity that I never followed up on any of Dr Lilly’s work. Saying that, I reiterate my belief that he was a pioneer in the field of ceta telepathy.

Thank you for alerting me to the magazine Hard Copy, along with the other links you have so kindly provided. I will certainly check them out.

I note with open-mouthed awe your revelation of dream visits – something I, too, have experienced on many occasions. My first was when I viewed Herb’e, aka Flippa, being intimidated behind the barred gate of a holding pen by a bullying adult male named Clyde. Incredibly, in this dreamscape, I was actually seeing through Herb’e’s eyes.

The most distressing dream/nightmare, however, was from my little dolphin, Scouse, just before he died with a razor blade embedded in his gut. Only two of the many reasons why I detest the global aqua circus.

Regarding your question on social structure, I agree wholeheartedly with this concept.

You ask about my experiences of the different connections when training dolphins and orcas. My perceived high-standing within the aqua-circus industry was all achieved with dolphins. However, I was offered a big-money contract to train Europe’s then only captive orca, Ramu III, an Atlantean who was later sold to the US and re-named Winston.

In my extremely short meeting with Ramu, like you, I experience a not-so-subtle difference in the mental connection. His was altogether stronger and more chaotic, something I initially put down to Ramu being trapped in a pool that was painfully too small for him … something, after listening to you, I might have to re-evaluate.

To finish, as you quite rightly say, nothing about our shared experiences with Atlanteans can be described as sci-fi, because we (and a lot of others too afraid to speak out) know this Atlantean phenomenon to be all too real.

Thanks again for your revealing comment, Russell.

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June Killington
28/4/2025 14:26:51

Thank you for speaking up and for doing so much work on behalf of amazing creatures that desperately need our voice. I’m so sick of the constant abuse by unevolved greedy selfish humans.

All my life I have been an activist working to educate people about the suffering of our animal friends, but the sad truth is that no one can do this alone. We all need to work together as a team - a work ethos that has still not got through to the ceta charities. Living in Australia as I do, I can confirm that the bunker mentality of these charity directors is as bad here as it is in the UK.

Well done, David and Tracy, for calling them out!

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David and Tracy link
28/4/2025 14:42:33

Thanks for commenting, June. It is more than obvious to anyone who has taken the time to read the comments on this blog how utterly disgusted the majority of true activists are with the behaviour of the ceta charities.

These cliques have achieved very little as regards ending Atlantean captivity, despite their claims to the contrary. Not to mention their twisted views about blocking any activist they deem too big for their boots. It is also noticeable thus far that no ceta charity director or their supporters have had the courage to come forward and defend their actions, proving that the majority of these sham outfits are only here for the beer!

Thanks again for commenting, June, and for all the fantastic work you do and have done for animal advocacy. You are without doubt amongst the very best of us all.

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Tracy J Holroyd link
24/5/2025 17:22:17

Thanks for commenting, June.

I seem to remember that you had problems many years ago with one of Australia’s biggest ceta charities; an org who jealously attacked you over the large amount of publicity you were personally generating about captive cetaceans.

Sadly, you are not alone. Several activists who have gone above and beyond tell us a similar story about other charities. It appears to be the norm for those charities who care more about promoting themselves than they do about the dolphins, whales and other animals they say they want to protect. An all-too-familiar story that is being replayed here in the UK.

Thank you again for commenting, June, and thank you for your inspiring animal activism.

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Russell Hockins
28/4/2025 21:06:37

I think that many of the sudden deaths of captive cetaceans were suicides. No matter what 'explanation' the facility came up with.

The one that stands out the most for me is one of the Orcas I got to know, Kotar at SeaWorld Ohio.

The stated reason was a "gate malfunction", which crushed his skull. I find this highly implausible as the gates are air-powered, and it is highly doubtful that enough pressure could be applied along with the careful monitoring that is done when they are moved from pool to pool. It is more likely his death was due to headbashing against the pool wall.

Another interesting tidbit of his captive life is that he jumped out of the show pool into the stands, and the stadium had to be flooded to get him back in the pool.

He did this TWICE. Attempted escape/suicide?

Suicide would be very easy for a conscious breather like cetaceans, who, unlike humans, must think to take a breath.

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David C Holroyd, aka David Capello link
1/5/2025 13:48:06

Thank you again for getting in touch, Russell.

As you mention SUICIDE DOLPHINS, I have just received a blog from a former ceta trainer, which is dynamite! So, before I sink my teeth into a horror that I have been fighting to expose for years, here is the link to a blog that all activists should explore. A link that includes testimonies from Ric O’Barry and yours truly David C Holroyd, aka David Capello.

https://www.adolphinpod.com/blog/the-evidence-for-dolphin-suicide?fbclid=IwY2xjawJ-54tleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETBueEp1VkFjZmtMRTdMR0lsAR4XMV7RbXFV4WPhOuticLbnLGz5zEshaqEswJ4jWL0NQSoEbluU6-EN8_eWYg_aem_usr0HpFyIIQaCs-RaavCOw

As a former head trainer, I know that the rumours of suicide dolphins are true, despite the ceta industry’s constant denials. What you say took place at SeaWorld with the orca, Kotar, doesn’t surprise me one bit, nor do the blatant lies that SeaWorld spews out. All who question the existence of suicide dolphins need to remember that the captive industry is built on lies and deceit.

You write that this sad Atlantean tried to end his life on at least two separate occasions. (I suspect more.) His first attempt by throwing himself headlong out of his show pool, and the second by bashing his head against the pool walls … Sadly, something I have seen before.

Please don’t doubt that this was an attempted suicide, because it was! In my early days working in the South Elmsall training pens, I and my fellow trainers were often instructed to monitor certain dolphins – the most desperate and infamous being an Atlantean named Bubbles. Her horror story is told in full in The Perfect Pair Dolphin Trilogy book series – a true story that gives this “dolphin who does not exist” a voice from beyond, despite her omission from the UK Klinowska & Brown Review of Dolphinaria.

I could go on to talk about pool rammings and the constant force-feeding of terrified dolphins, but, as they say, that is an exposé for another day.

SUICIDE DOLPHINS EXIST, DESPITE THE PROPAGANDA THAT THE CAPTIVE CETACEAN INDUSTRY VOMITS OUT!

Thanks again for the info, Russell.

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Russell Hockins
2/5/2025 17:04:16

But why the violent methods? Trying to send the humans a message?

As conscious breathers, all they have to do is stop breathing. They could even do this in the middle of a show as protest but to my knowledge that never happened.

I only witness one Orca show being cancelled. It was at Marine World Africa USA when they were in Redwood City before the move to Vallejo and being renamed to Six Flags.

The three Orcas, 1M and 2F I don't remember their names. This happened in the early 1970s.

The Orcas ignored the trainers and began fighting. You could hear the impacts and water went flying everywhere. The trainers tried to get their attention but were completely ignored. They had to cancel the show and clear the stadium.

David C Holroyd, aka David Capello link
5/5/2025 10:57:29

Hello Russell, I understand that what I’m about to say about SUICIDE dolphins will open a can of worms.

In answer to your question, Why the violent methods? I believe the reason why captive Atlanteans resort to violent methods when trying to end their lives is because they have no other way.

As you rightly say, dolphins and whales are conscious breathers. But when sleeping, their semi-conscious part of the brain kicks in, which means, like humans, they have a built-in mechanism that demands that they breathe. Simply put, a suicide entails taking one’s own life, and I personally have never heard of a human being committing this desperate act by deliberately holding their breath.

When the body needs oxygen, it automatically responds – often violently. The body has no choice. To my mind, a valid reason why both humans and Atlanteans resort to more desperate measures to end their lives.

I know this sounds controversial, Russell, and I know that many ex-trainers would disagree, but I genuinely believe this to be the case. So, here is some food for thought for any doubters out there:

Humans are the PEOPLE of the land, whilst Atlanteans are the PEOPLE of the sea. So, does it not stand to reason that our two species would think alike when contemplating suicide?

Thanks again for your comment, Russell, and thank you for buying The Perfect Pair Dolphin Trilogy book series, despite the exorbitant postage costs to the US!

Russell Hockins
28/4/2025 21:18:31

This is a piece I wrote some years ago to help people understand just how small even the largest cetacen tank is compired to the oceans.

Got Tank? 101

How much space is needed in a tank is a hard thing for a Human to quantify being limited to only moving in two directions when Cetaceans can move three.

It's also about Volume, not just Square Feet (i.e. surface area, though this is an important factor too). I got to thinking how to relate to it better.

I looked up acre-foot on Wikipedia

1 Acre Foot of water is 325,851.427 Gallons.

This is a standard of measure for water companies everywhere. A 3D slice of water 66 feet by 660 feet by one foot deep. 43,560 Cubic Feet (Ft^3) or 1,233.481842 Cubic Meters (M^3). The water one household theoretically uses in one year.

We're talking about Cetaceans here who need to move in three dimensions, one foot deep even though a full acre in "size" isn't going to work.

Let's fold that up into a more useable cube of water and remember, this is a volume of space that is COMPLETELY UNOBSTRUCTED BY ANY OBJECTS

1 x 66 x 660

2 x 66 x 330

4 x 66 x 165

8 x 66 x 82.5

leaving one of three choices

16 x 66 x 41.25

OR

16 x 33 x 82.5

OR

32 x 33 x 41.25

Though they might be enough for a couple of the smaller Dolphins, it seems inadequate for the length of larger Cetaceans. A single acre-foot would support an orca like Tillikum and allow him to completely submerge but not allow him to move around very much.

Perhaps this is a Good Metric to be able to scientifically quantify how much physical space, in this case tank space, would be needed to properly house a large Cetacean. Knowing the required amounts of Personal Space, Social Space, and Get The H*** Away Space per Individual is required for proper tank sizing. Cramped conditions with no way get away has often been said to be a problem at times.

If cramped conditions exist, a standard needs to be created and a minimum amount per Individual set to measure such things by so the problem can be corrected. It will also enable an estimation on the cost of a tank that is the correct size for intended number of large Cetaceans that a facility wishes to house in one location at a time. If you wanna keep them, know just how much space and money it will take to house them properly. Either this or move them to someplace that has sufficient room form them.

For the curious, One Million Gallons is 3.068883292 acre-feet (3,785.41182 M^3) which from the above sounds rather tight as that is not all in just one pool as in the above exercise.

Sea World at 7 Million Gallons is only 24.482183044 acre-feet (30,198.32818 M^3)

France’s facility at 11 Million Gallons only is 33.757716212 acre-feet (41,639.52971 M^3). To my knowledge this is currently the largest cetacean containment tank in the world.

However, in NONE of these three places is this volume of water in a single tank, it is the total volume of the complex of pools and piping so useable space is much less than the numbers imply.

Don't keep your 5 star performer in a 1 star hotel. You know how actors can be.


[ side note: for the conspiracy crowd POV I too think that's a lot of 6's and 3's in one place. weird. :P ]

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David C Holroyd aka David Capello link
30/4/2025 12:05:03

I find your examples of water ratios and pool sizes fascinating – an angle I’ve never seen before, and yet another reason why cetacean lovers should boycott these hellholes.

The orca I was asked to train, Ramu III (US name Winston), suffered from deep psychological problems due to his cramped conditions, the reason why Windsor Safari Park begrudgingly sold him to the USA. As you correctly say, small pools yield a plethora of problems for their Atlantean captives.

The most disturbing of these is bullying – an unwanted yet entirely natural cetacean behaviour, which marine park owners neglect to consider when housing their captives.

These concrete fish bowls are a perfect battleground for cetacean conflict, crowded arenas that encourage the strong to prey on the weak. Dangerous when housing too many dolphins in a small pool – deadly when dealing with orcas.

Stressed orcas who speak a different language from those with whom they find themselves trapped can pay a terrible price - a fact that all Seaworld supporters should consider.

To finish, all aqua-circus supporters should realise that these very different people of the sea have a dark side, one that can explode when they are forcibly cramped together.

Thanks again, Russell, for your insightful comment.

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David C Holroyd, aka David Capello link
30/4/2025 11:30:49

An alert for everyone reading this comment section: An ex-ceta trainer has just sent me a blog by private message regarding suicide dolphins – a horror I have been trying to publicise for well over a decade.
This blog will really open your eyes, so please give it a read.

This ex-trainer has not yet made a public comment on this blog page, so let’s hope that she will. Either way, a huge thank you to her for reaching out with this important information, which I hope will spark much debate.

https://www.adolphinpod.com/blog/the-evidence-for-dolphin-suicide?fbclid=IwY2xjawJ-54tleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETBueEp1VkFjZmtMRTdMR0lsAR4XMV7RbXFV4WPhOuticLbnLGz5zEshaqEswJ4jWL0NQSoEbluU6-EN8_eWYg_aem_usr0HpFyIIQaCs-RaavCOw

Only by working together can we bring an end to the horrific captive cetacean industry.

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Jonathan Straight
30/4/2025 14:32:02

It was such a pleasure to meet David and Tracy and to share the story of the dolphinarium in South Elmsall. It formed the most interesting part of a project, commissioned by Wakefield Council, to tell some local stories.

An exhibition ran in the library in South Elmsall for more than a year showing David's book, some video content and a portait of him taken by me. But the best part was a lifesaver ring used to train the dolphins.

David's campaining work against cetaceans being used for entertainment is so valuable. I hope he can open the eyes of many, many, more people.

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David and Tracy link
1/5/2025 14:17:03

It was a pleasure to meet you, too, Jonathan.

What more can we say about entrepreneur and photographer Jonathan Straight’s Faces of South Elmsall exhibition that we haven’t said so many times before? There is little doubt in our minds that it was your project that helped to validate not only the existence of the South Elmsall dolphins, but also the trainer known as David Capello.

https://www.facesofsouthelmsall.com/

Your exhibition shone a light onto the lives of those magnificent South Elmsall Atlanteans, burning through an industry cover-up that had been hatched many decades before. It also silenced the lies that had been leaked by a certain charity director who worked hard to stop our book series, The Perfect Pair Dolphin Trilogy.

Your validation sparked the WDC (Whale & Dolphin Conservation) to break UK charity ranks by asking David to write a guest blog supporting one of their anti-captivity campaigns, not to mention many hard-hitting interviews and two short films from other sources.

https://uk.whales.org/2023/08/29/a-former-uk-dolphin-trainer-reflects/

So, once again, we both thank you, Jonathan, for your insight and ultra-professionalism in bringing your Faces of South Elmsall project not just to the people of Yorkshire, but to the whole of the UK!

Stay safe, Jonathan! We both wish you great success with all your future projects.

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Olivia
2/5/2025 08:49:33

David, the unwavering dedication shown by Tracy and yourself to advocate for the South Elmsall dolphins is beyond commendable. The fate of these poor creatures strikes a chord in me to this day. To think similar mistreatment is still happening out there in the big, wide world, to this day, is beyond a scary thought!!!

Your books have left a lasting impact on me, and I'm sure, so many others out there. Managing these difficult conversations and interviews can't be an easy feat, keep on restoring faith in humanity.

Your friend- Olivia

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David C Holroyd, aka David Capello link
3/5/2025 11:09:42

Thank you for your lovely comment, Olivia, and for your fantastic work as a journalist in getting the South Elmsall dolphins’ story out to the public. Your scoop hit a number of news outlets, eventually scaling the heights to The Yorkshire Post … So, very well done!

As for our story, both Tracy and I were lifted by the enthusiasm you and your friend showed after reading The Perfect Pair Dolphin Trilogy book series. A true story written NOT for ceta activists, but for Joe Public, those people who would unwittingly buy a ticket to a dolphinarium or marine park.

The emotion you experienced showed that we, as authors, had hit the spot - achieved what we set out to do.

Our South Elmsall story obviously had a similar effect on entrepreneur and photographer, Jonathan Straight, resulting in his invitation to take part in his Faces of South Elmsall project. Like you, Olivia, he left a lovely comment on this blog – check it out!

The warmth you both showed appears to be a trait of the Yorkshire folk, one that I have been privileged to enjoy for over five decades.

https://www.facesofsouthelmsall.com/

You mentioned my hard-hitting interviews – recollections that I find extremely painful to relate. However, this is the price I willingly pay to get the truth about ceta abuse out to the public.

On a positive note, The Perfect Pair Dolphin Trilogy story brought me to the attention of a well-known activist named Tracey Ozdemir. This very special lady asked me to write an expert-witness statement for a court case against the Marmaris Dolphin Park, a statement that she says proved invaluable in closing down this Turkish hellhole. This result not only made me feel very proud, but also instilled in me a great sense of achievement. Tracey Ozdemir has also made a comment on this blog, and I think that you’ll find it well worth reading.

So, to finish, Olivia, a huge thank you once again for your courageous journalism and your ongoing support. You and the Yorkshire press stood tall when the rest of the UK media played it safe and shied away … For this, both Tracy and I will be eternally grateful.

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Erica Salvemini link
4/5/2025 18:35:10

As someone who has long stood for the liberation of cetaceans and all non-human kin, I feel the weight and power of this testimony. David’s unflinching truth-telling—rooted in firsthand experience—is not just a historical correction; it’s a spiritual reckoning.

The South Elmsall dolphins were not performers. They were sentient beings, torn from their ocean homes and forced into unnatural lives under the guise of entertainment and education. That their names and suffering were omitted from official records only deepens the injustice. Acknowledging them now is the very least we owe them.

David’s words serve as both confession and catalyst. They urge us to confront the complicity still embedded in modern conservation narratives—and to ask hard questions about who controls the story.

As activists, we must remain vigilant—especially when the truth is inconvenient to those in power.

To the dolphins named here, and to those still unnamed: you are not forgotten. May your stories spark a deeper call to action—for transparency, for reparation, and for your long-overdue freedom.

I am with you always. ✨✊🏻✨

With respect and solidarity,
Erica Salvemini
Host, The Rising Lioness podcast
Founder, J4P Franchise
Tireless Voice & Activist for all sentient life and the New Earth

Reply
David C Holroyd, aka David Capello link
6/5/2025 08:53:54

Thank you for finding time to comment, Erica, and thank you for inviting me to speak on your amazing Rising Lioness podcast – two pull-no-punches interviews that allowed me to expose the horrors of cetacean captivity to a wider audience.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_I-szAUheSQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQONqooZQvo

You are spot-on when you say that my exposé is not just a historical correction; it’s a spiritual reckoning, because, like you, I believe that all Atlanteans are spiritual beings, a higher life form that deserves to be treated with respect. An ethos that I know a great many self-professed ceta experts and historical manipulators would treat with utter contempt.

Nevertheless, I urge all who reside within this camp to accept one very simple and inescapable fact:

“I have the tee-shirt! I am the one who got to live and work with these incredible beings … albeit as their gaoler. A shame that still haunts me to this very day.”

On a more positive note, this lifelong stain has now become the catalyst in my quest to give these stolen Atlanteans a voice. A dogged determination that I intend to shout from every rooftop in every city, given the chance.

However, if I am to achieve this goal, I need help, help from every ceta charity and activist that has chosen to ignore The Perfect Pair Dolphin Trilogy and look the other way. Only by working together do we have any chance of breaking the long-established cover-up of these magnificent South Elmsall dolphins … not to mention all those unfortunates doomed to swim in their wake.

We need to reinstate their existence into the annals of UK dolphinaria. No easy task as I categorically believe that their omission from the Klinowska & Brown Review of Dolphinaria was due to my rebellion against those who ran the Entam-Leisure show pools. By this, I mean company managers such as the BBC animal-show presenter, Terry Nutkins, and the vets who were so eager to protect their incomes and reputations.

Thank you again, Erica, for your wonderful comment, and thank you again for giving both me and my South Elmsall captives a voice.

One final comment: for those who are still trying to silence or discredit me, reserve your spite for those who deserve it – turn it on the captive-ceta industry, and give ALL our lost Atlantean souls a voice!

Reply
Tracy J Holroyd link
8/5/2025 10:38:26

What a lovely comment, Erica. Whenever you write, your warmth and compassion shine through. Like you, we firmly believe in the spiritual aspect of the Atlantean race, and we believe that we should all work together to create the change that the Universe demands.

David's interviews with you on your Rising Lioness podcast have been more successful than we could ever have hoped for. You are aware of the problems we've had in the UK, and it seems to us that the US public are far more open to discussion and change.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_I-szAUheSQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQONqooZQvo

So, thank you again, Erica. Love and light to you and your loved ones!

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Sahara
20/6/2025 09:28:41

Well where do I begin with this fabulous blog with its wealth of information and brutal honesty. The book trilogy are a true guide to how the captive cetacean industry works behind the scenes. Like so many my own passion for cetaceans came from seeing them in a captive setting as a child and though my views have changed greatly since then I still can’t deny the joy I felt at being so close to such magical animals. Learning the truth behind those nostalgic memories has now tainted them with guilt but has also fed the flames of passion to protect cetaceans. We can not ignore the controversy surrounding this industry since its humble beginnings to the present day. With all the knowledge and enlightenment we possess today thousands of bottlenose dolphins are still being slaughtered in full view of their pretty pod mates who have been “lucky enough” to be selected for a life in tanks. Pilot whales are massacred on beaches in the name of tradition and countless sea creatures lose their lives as nothing more than bycatch. Sadly we have a lot to answer for. It is easy to become bogged down with the negative impact we have had on the oceans and those who call it home but I feel strongly that we must also look towards the positive outcomes of such actions. David was a well respected and dedicated dolphin trainer, yes those dolphins should not have been within a captive environment but thanks to them and him we have a deep knowledge of those dolphins as individuals, and thanks to that we can love them for who they where. I have been researching individual dolphins kept in the UK and it is so rare for anyone to talk about them as individuals and have any memory of their personalities. What David brings to the table it that respect is invaluable to those of us who want to understand the dolphins rather than the ocean parks who housed them.
The captive industry itself is a cruel mistress which I think everyone can agree on despite their personal views on its overall value to society. In my personal research I have encountered some of the most horrendous examples how just how cruel this industry and a selection of those working within it can be. Stories so unbelievable they would be given no credit without others to validate them. Money is and has always been a factor in this industry. Stories of insurance fraud and illegal imports flood the former UK industry. Activists who beg for funds publicly but have shown as much compassion for these creatures as those who slaughter them for animal feed. And yet there are countless people like David and Tracey who share with us the most heartfelt and inspirational stories of the cetaceans they have known and loved to bring us back from the brink of despair. We are able to remember those we loved as we work to protect those still tangled within this issue. Having said that some are still fighting the good fight to this day who began sparking passion in UK residents decades ago. These include former Windsor safari park dolphins Honey, Prince, Apollo and Neptune. Former Flamingo land/park dolphins Betty and Sharky. Poor Sharky is currently housed at the now closed marine land Antibes in France and so faces yet another transfer and possible separation from her daughter who is her only surviving offspring. Many of these dolphins and others where in line for sanctuary and possible release back in 1992 but sadly greed once again won the battle and now they are of an age and health condition where this is no longer considered an acceptable option for them.
Perhaps one day we will be able to brag how we were the first country to abandon such ideals as watching captive cetaceans perform not just on our home turf but abroad as well. Personally I long for the day when this industry is resigned to history with rehabilitation and sanctuaries being our only reminder. Until then knowledge of what truly takes place is a powerful resource which this blog provides unapologetically. Thank you to those who have worked so hard to share this with us all.

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David C Holroyd, aka David Capello link
22/6/2025 14:34:29

Thank you for taking the time to write this fabulous and educated comment, Sahara, a comment that I urge all contributors to this blog to read. You have expertly dissected many of the dark aspects of the captive cetacean industry, going into detail that screams of knowledge and passion.

There is so much for me to comment on, so please forgive if I skip over some of your content.

As you quite rightly say, The Perfect Pair Dolphin Trilogy is a true story and guide to how the captive cetacean industry operates. It is an industry steeped in behind-the-scenes cruelty and mired in controversy, a business that cleverly draws the bewitched into its sinister web of lies and deceit.

Like you, I was drawn into this business with the dream of embracing these magical creatures without ever questioning the morality of Atlantean captivity; a dream that, despite my perceived successes, turned into a nightmare.

You are also right to highlight the horrors of the Taiji Cove, a black stain on the Japanese nation that is fuelled by gangster elements and crooked politicians – a dreadful place that seemingly operates with impunity and is the main provider of ‘pretty’ captive cetaceans.

You also speak of the Faroese, wannabee Vikings who slaughter dolphins and whales in their infamous Grind – all in the name of so-called tradition. A country that, like Japan, is never challenged by our respective governments due to their fear of jeopardising their precious trade deals.

I thank you again for your kind words about The Perfect Pair Dolphin Trilogy and for describing the effect it had on you. Your insight and appreciation of what Tracy and I wrote made us enormously proud, especially your reference to our skill in describing our Atlantean characters – our all-too-real people of the sea.

Your obvious knowledge of Windsor Safari Park Dolphinarium and its inmates was impressive, and very much mirrors my experiences in the Entam Leisure show pools, venues that demanded all from trainers and captive Atlanteans alike. However, the ceta abuse that took place in the UK pools, although now deemed historical, is still prevalent throughout the global aqua-circus venues, abuse that could well be reinstated in the UK if big-money foreign investors came along with an irresistible offer. We must all remember that ceta captivity has NEVER been banned in the UK.

Finally, ceta sanctuaries: I believe that due to the enormous value of captive Atlanteans, the prospect of transporting them to such places is highly unlikely. Remember, this vile industry is based on profit and profit alone - and there is no profit in releasing valuable company assets!

Thank you again for your fantastic comment, Sahara. Could I please ask you to check out my Mirror Online exclusive interview, as I think that you and all others commenting on this blog will find it brutally informative.

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/uks-secret-dolphin-pool-horrors-35288505

Reply
Tracy J Holroyd link
24/6/2025 11:04:50

We cannot thank enough Mirror Online features writer, Emmeline Saunders, for granting David C Holroyd, aka David Capello, an international media platform. Her feature was powerful and to the point, perfectly relaying David’s no-nonsense attitude when dealing with an industry that indulges in Atlantean suffering. Everything exposed in her feature is TRUE and has been authenticated by the Flippa (Herb’e) dolphin logbooks, long since thought destroyed.

This hard-hitting feature also went through the Mirror Online’s legal offices before publication to check for possible legal actions against its revelations … and, once again, David’s testimony came back clean. In other words, there is NOTHING revealed in this feature that can be legally challenged by individuals or named aqua-circus venues.

So, it appears that, once again, David’s dogged determination to expose the true horrors of global dolphinaria has been validated, despite the constant hate campaign directed against him by the UK charity Marine Connection and its supporters.

Speaking of our caring ceta charities and their high-profile celebrity endorsers, NOT ONE had the courage to make comment, nor did they retweet on X or share on Facebook. Only Dominic Dyer cared enough to promote the hard-hitting feature – so thank you again, Dominic Dyer, for putting the welfare of the world’s dolphins and whales first! The UK arm of the WDC also offered their congratulations on a job well done via private message.

Here is the link for those who missed it:

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/uks-secret-dolphin-pool-horrors-35288505

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David Symes
14/7/2025 09:15:58

Having now read the entire saga contained in the three amazing books of the "Perfect Pair Dolphin Trilogy", may I salute and thank David and Tracy for their sterling work in producing this magnum opus.

While I don't know anything at all about the various intrigues that people here seem to be aware of, I am against slavery and abuse in all its forms, no matter the target. It seems to me that, given the already accomplished fact of the capture and incarceration of the dolphins that David knew, his closeness to them - and not only physically - was at least something of a reassurance to them. In my view, he has nothing to reproach himself with, given the circumstances within which he was compelled to operate.

While I hesitate to raise this, I feel that Captain, the lonely little elephant, also deserves a listing alongside all of the dolphins - for did he not also act as a source of comfort for David when he was under such pressure? Apart from this small point, I wouldn't change a word in any of the books; while a challenging and emotional read, sometimes - as in the case of "Man's Search for Meaning" by Viktor Frankl - the rewards of reading it far outweigh any downside.

May love and light go with you both always.

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David and Tracy link
14/7/2025 14:19:54

First, a huge thank you for your support, David, not only in buying the signed paperback copies of The Perfect Pair Dolphin Trilogy, but also the extremely limited hardback versions, too.

It is more than obvious that our story has had an emotional impact – not only in the way you view dolphins and whales, but also in your belief in spirituality – a belief that you share with William Roache, MBE, OBE (aka Ken Barlow of Coronation Street), who felt so drawn to the story that he asked if we would allow him to foreword our award-winning book series.

Your appraisal of the dolphin trilogy was truly uplifting - a critique that made all in the Holroyd household feel immensely proud. Your words oozed eloquence and empathy, qualities that are sadly becoming outdated in this ever-darkening world in which we live.

It is also clear that you do not consider yourself to be an animal activist, which, as writers, we find enormously refreshing. We say this because our book series was meant to be read by people such as you! Caring individuals who feel inexplicably drawn to a ‘read’ that is startlingly different from the ‘norm’; an arrow to the heart that will hopefully stir our human collective into action.

As for the baby elephant, Captain … whilst there are people like you around, David, he will never be forgotten. His memory will live in the hearts of all those who embrace his story, so take comfort in the belief that this little elephant’s spirit now plays amongst the stars.

Saying that, we fully agree that little Captain should have been included in the blog, so we have amended it to include not only Captain, but also Bobby and the two tiny Titans, Smelly and Worse.

Thank you once again for your magical critique of our work, David. Let’s hope that all those who read your comment take the plunge, read the books and digest its message.

Reply
Sahara king
15/7/2025 19:38:35

There are so many areas of cetacean captivity that deserve in depth discussions and wide spread publication but for the moment I would like to focus on those who make a living from this industry. Within this conversation I am not referring to those dedicated souls who wake up at the crack of dawn to ensure the animals they love within their care are safe fed and attended to, no the people I refer to are those who simply make a profit from the creatures they own but don’t know.
A few years ago I was lucky enough to converse with a former dolphin trainer who worked for many years in one UK facility who where responsible for a large number of dolphins within the industry. This person who I will refer to as Cathy was very open on the horrors she witnessed and the excuses that where once a comfort and justification for her. One such conversation shock me to my very core. I had been told of this rumour previously but Cathy was able to provide vivid details and more importantly apparent evidence to her story. The facility in question was said to be well practiced in importing extra and illegal dolphins hidden within legal shipments. Crates designed for one dolphin would hold two or three much smaller dolphins who where much younger than legally able to transport. With extra animals they where able to sell for tax free profit who where untraceable it ment the importers where in for substantial financial gain and the ones who purchased them where able to use the dolphins as replacements for ones who had died for a fraction of the cost and simply pass on the dead animals details to the replacement. This left one major issue though how do you dispose of a dead dolphin? The solution you simply throw them into the ocean and if they washed ashore they would be readily accepted as a wild dolphin. This scheme was said to be the brain child of former dolphin owner and importer Terry Nuttkins, but has also been credited to a former dolphinarium owner who simply involved his show business friend for financial assistance. Cathy spent many months contacting local and global animal rights organisations and charities whilst still working at the dolphinarium with not a single acknowledgement from any of them. In the years following her departure she continued to raise awareness to the authorities about this and many other issues with zero success as the facility was by that time closed. Even after decades have passed she like so many others are still fearful of making their memories public for fear of reprisal from surviving family and the still operating organisations who ignored her.
Those who used dolphins for financial gain with little to no regard for their well being or safety did not seem to be the norm in many of the UK dolphinariums however the damage done by those few who fit the criteria is unmeasurable, in both human and animal cost. I firmly believe that we will never know the true number of dolphins held captive within the UK due to the corruption, lies, lost and distorted records. Personally I have records for over 250 but suspect the assumed number of 300 is likely to be more accurate. These dolphins where individuals who thought felt loved lost and lived. They have been reduced to nothing more than property even the names and numbers given to them where not their own. All for the greed of a select few who placed personal status in higher regard than the lives of others. As for the human cost I believe it speaks volumes that these innocent people who left the industry (in some cases 30+ years ago) are still afraid to publicly admit what truly took place out of fear. Even when those involved have passed away the fear has not left and as for the organisations and charities who these people condemn, the fear of highly paid lawyers is a real one.
As I think most can agree the captive cetacean industry is not a black and white issue it is one of many shades, with more secrets and black holes than any one person could ever dream to understand. Knowledge is in my opinion the way forward and the more knowledge of the truth behind these facilities and the animals within them that reaches the public the better the chance we have of putting an end to this industry once and for all.

Reply
David and Tracy link
17/7/2025 10:23:51

Thank you for your explosive comment, Sahara. We already knew from your recent comment about The Perfect Pair Dolphin Trilogy that you possess in-depth knowledge of early UK dolphinaria – but this latest comment left both Tracy and me aghast!

In fact, you shone a light on many aspects of which we were totally unaware. The most shocking revelation was the villainous skulduggery of certain UK aqua-circus companies when transporting captive dolphins whilst concealing their true numbers.

We note that you have taken the precaution of not naming names, ie the vets and companies involved, a safety net that papers over NO cracks for the trainers and presenters of the time … as WE ALL KNOW the identities of those involved.

However, we note that you do name the villain of The Perfect Pair Dolphin Trilogy – the late BBC presenter, Terry Nutkins, a man who sold himself to a gullible public as a caring captive dolphin expert, despite his NEVER having trained a dolphin.

We will always blame this despot for the death of David’s beautiful show dolphins: Duchess, Herb’e, Baby and Scouse, not to mention all those precious Atlanteans that were doomed to swim in their wake.

We could go on to expose even more about this villainous conman, but it seems that your comment (soon to become a stand-alone blog on this website) has beaten us to it! So, a huge well done, Sahara, for having the courage to go public with this distressing yet vital information.

We now pose a question to all those obstructive UK ceta charities who have for so long pleaded for the public’s financial support:

Did you know about Mr Nutkins’ involvement in these scurrilous dolphin imports? And, if you did, why did you not expose him when he first appeared on our TV screens?

Also, were you aware of the collusion between the vets and the owners of the companies they worked for in these crooked ceta transports? Or did you make a conscious decision to play it safe by covering up any villainy to suit your own ends? By this, we mean purposely burying the truth as you all chose to do with our award-winning expose, The Perfect Pair Dolphin Trilogy?

Serious accusations - so we put it to you:

If you wish to maintain any credibility in the eyes of the UK public, you NEED to answer these questions … As an incentive, we are naming all the charities who have remained either obstructive or ominously silent.

Marine Connection
Freedom for Animals (formerly Captive Animals’ Protection Society)
Born Free Foundation
PETA UK
Sea Shepherd UK
IFAW
Dolphin Freedom UK
Animal Defenders International
World Animal Protection (formerly World Society for the Protection of Animals)

So, there you are: named and shamed. This is now your chance to have your say – and we WILL print your replies. Charity directors: grow a backbone instead of hiding behind your customary cancel culture.

To finish, we ask again for all former UK ceta trainers and presenters to come forward and tell the world your story – anonymously should you wish. Have the courage to join a brave NEW collective who are willing to expose this rotten industry for what it truly is.

Thanks again, Sahara, for these truly explosive revelations. We WILL be commenting further.

Reply
David and Tracy link
19/7/2025 11:17:54

As promised, Sahara, we are back to make further comment on your shocking revelations concerning the BBC animal presenter, Terry Nutkins, and the UK dead-leg company he worked with.

We were further aghast by the revelation of DUMPING DEAD SHOW DOLPHINS in a sea cave to mask the mortality rate of the aqua-circus’ inmates. You have been careful throughout your testimony not to name names, but I have been reliably informed that the venue you speak of is Margate.

You state that these doomed Atlanteans were replaced (at a much-reduced cost) by other dolphins who were smuggled into the UK illegally via the stacking of extra slings within the transport boxes. A simple yet ingenious plan aided and abetted by those who were “on the take”; a money-making racket to which the vast majority of those working within the industry would be utterly oblivious. After all, who would question finding a dead dolphin washed up on a UK beach? Whoever found it would automatically think that it was the carcase of a wild dolphin … never dreaming it was once a much-admired show dolphin. Sickening revelations that both Tracy and I find utterly mind-blowing.

You also speak of the fear that still exists in the UK around exposing the truth behind this rotten industry. A fear that is seemingly replicated globally in those who have worked or are still working for global dolphinaria. This begs the question: Why are these former trainers and ceta handlers so afraid of “spilling the beans”?

Obviously, the prospect of being sued by the gangster companies that ran these places comes to mind… but, in my opinion, this is a threat that is considerably overblown, as the last thing that those involved will want is to have their past sins aired in public.

There is also the physical threat levelled against whistleblowers – a threat that should be taken seriously, although one I also believe to be overblown, because any would-be threats would stand a good chance of being gobbled up by national media.

Sadly, my own experiences tell me that the captive industry’s biggest asset in its quest to silence company whistleblowers … IS THE CETA CHARITIES THEMSELVES! Not to mention their spiteful entourage that appears on all social media outlets with their inane emoji-driven activism.

I don’t enjoy this constant charity bashing, but, judging by the many comments appearing on this blog, this is a complaint that needs to be addressed by the charity directors themselves.

Thanks again, Sahara, for putting these horrific revelations into the public domain. These are undeniable truths that demand to be exposed – and, sadly, due to charity inaction, it appears that it is down to people like us to do it!

Reply
VINCENT MEEHAN
20/7/2025 16:10:07

South Elmsall Dolphinarium – My Story.

I don’t remember the exact date, but I responded to an ad’ for dolphin show presenters in the situations vacant column of the Manchester Evening News by calling a telephone number. Following some innocuous questions, I was invited to come for interview at the administration offices of Entam Leisure at Belle Vue on Hyde Road, Manchester. It was there that I first met Dr David Taylor of the tv programme ‘ZooVet’ fame. He conducted the in-person interviews with candidates. Following the interview, I was called later at home to be informed that I was successful and was offered one of the two posts. I think it was because I was immediately available and could swim!

The other successful candidate, Samantha, and I first travelled to South Elmsall in the company of Ken Andrews’ PA and her husband on the following Sunday in order to meet the rest of the team at the dolphin training pool. We were introduced to the head trainer, Gary Marshall, and his wife, Joy, and trainers Sue Shields, David Holroyd and a local lad, Gary, whose surname escapes me. We spent the afternoon learning just what was expected of us in the coming weeks in the run-up to the opening of the new Dolphinariums at Knowsley Safari Park, Liverpool and Rhyl in North Wales.

A few days later, Samantha and I arrived at Belle Vue, bags packed, ready to be taken by David Taylor to our digs in South Elmsall in preparation to commence work at what was the old municipal swimming baths, now the dolphin training facility for Entam Leisure Ltd. Exciting times awaited! So far, pretty much the same process as for David Holroyd & Co.

The pool, as I recall, was divided into five separate pens. Looking from the shallow end of the pool, Herbie and Duchess were in the right-hand pen at the deep end with Baby and Scouse occupying the left pen. Next was the dolphin called ‘Big Momma’ due to her size. She was in the left pen and Eccles was in the right pen. The remainder of the pool was a full-width pen in the shallow end and was occupied by Bubbles.

Day 1 was a hard introduction into the training of these mammals as we were almost immediately dragooned into the force-feeding of Bubbles. This was to be a daily occurrence and the reason she was located in the shallow end of the pool. It was explained to us that since her arrival at South Elmsall, Bubbles had resisted every attempt to become a performing dolphin. As a result, she had to undergo a process of force-feeding that entailed first catching her and securing her against movement. Not an easy task with a large and determined animal. Her jaws would then be forced open and rolled hand towels used to hold them open while whole fish were placed in her gullet. The first fish also contained a liberal mix of vitamins and minerals. Once a fish was introduced to the back of her mouth, the swallowing process was automatic. Force-feeding Bubbles required the efforts of the whole team.
End of Part 1.

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David and Tracy link
21/7/2025 14:47:18

REPLY TO YOUR PART ONE COMMENT: It is so good to hear from you, Vince – a ‘blast from the past’ that will definitely add a huge talking point to this comments section. We say this because, without doubt, this is YOUR story, your recollections, admirably written in four incredibly informative parts. Comments that need to be read by all who have contributed to our hard-hitting blog.

Tracy and I were not just uplifted when we clicked onto our computer this morning, but also breathlessly excited, because your participation is vital if we are to draw those ‘in the know’ into revealing the horrors and heartaches of the aqua-circus.

So, we reiterate our plea to all dolphinarium/marine park workers to ‘spill the beans’ on this vile industry. Our offer is open to all former ceta trainers, presenters and handlers, whether they be from the UK or any other global aqua-circus venue.

As for the first part of your comment, Vince, we thank you again for your bravery, because you have not held back in revealing the names of both people and Atlanteans alike; identities that lend further credence to our Perfect Pair Dolphin Trilogy exposé.

As for the local lad who you met at the South Elmsall training pool, his name was Gary Townsend, known as ‘Tiny Townsend’, because he was a strapping 6ft-3ins-plus in height; a teen who later went on to work with Gary Marshall at Rhyl Dolphinarium during its first season.

To finish, we will be making further comments on your experiences with Entam Leisure, a subsidiary of Trusthouse Forte.

Once again, thank you for your courage in coming forward to enhance and support a story that so many have tried to block or cover up!

Reply
VINCENT MEEHAN
20/7/2025 16:12:19

The rest of the time was spent working with the animals, getting them to hold a vertical position in the water and to accept dead fish. Then utilising their natural behaviour to perform simple tricks like retrieving things and jumping over a hurdle or through a hoop, always by being rewarded for correct behaviour. There was never any abuse of the animals (other than being forced to work for food!) at any time.

The time rapidly approached when we would transport the dolphins to their new home, the Knowsley animals first. This was Baby, Scouse, Herbie and Duchess. It would be another two or three weeks before the Rhyl Dolphinarium was ready to accept their new residents. Preparations for the move were frantic. We were scheduled to move the four dolphins to Knowsley. Transport crates were assembled. Batteries for the water pumps were charged. Slings cleaned and made ready. Equipment for the shows repainted, taped and generally made to look the part.

It was possibly Tuesday evening of the week prior to departure that we all received an urgent summons back to the training facility. It appeared that in spite of our best efforts, Bubbles had died. We were all truly saddened and shocked by her passing and it was a fairly morose bunch that gathered at the pool the following day.

David Taylor took this opportunity to demonstrate his skills as a pathologist and, in front of the whole team, proceeded to carry out an autopsy on the unfortunate animal. Now, things like this have never bothered me. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for one or two others present. The one thing that absolutely stood out, clear as day, was the large gob of petroleum jelly found deep in Bubbles’ spiracle, her breathing tube. This was very quickly put aside, never to be spoken of again. The only explanation I have is that with Gary, Joy, David, Sam and myself going to Knowsley, there would be nobody to care for Bubbles, and ‘somebody’ deliberately introduced that petroleum jelly into her spiracle in order to suffocate her. Dolphin murder, in other words. I’m still quite shocked by this all these years later.
End of Part 2.

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David C Holroyd, aka David Capello link
23/7/2025 10:19:03

REPLY TO YOUR PART TWO COMMENT: Of your four testimonies, Vince, I found this to be the most challenging to comment on. I am of course referring to the horrors surrounding the stricken dolphin, Bubbles … an Atlantean whose death at South Elmsall is not recognised in the UK Klinowska & Brown report. Here is the report’s official entry for OUR Bubbles:

Bubbles ? arrived early 1973 from Florida to South Elmsall, to Flamingo
April 1974; exported date ? fate ?

THIS IS A DOWNRIGHT COVER-UP! to mask what we have always suspected to be the murder of a problematic Atlantean - supplied by those who worked in the aqua-circus, including the BBC celebrity, Terry Nutkins, and the industry vets.

The trauma of Bubbles’ force-feeds still haunts me to this very day - a necessity of the time that still fills me with a feeling of utter dread. A horror that I was forced to re-visit with both Duchess and Herb’e in Rhyl when my days as a top trainer were coming to an ignominious end. A nightmare that I will always blame on Entam’s then general manager, the illustrious Terry Nutkins! An ambitious psychopath who proved to be the cause of so much misery for human and Atlantean alike.

As for Bubbles’ death, it appears that you spotted something that I missed during her post-mortem – that deadly glob of Vaseline wedged in her blowhole – causing me to question myself:

“Did I really NOT see this near-invisible glob of destruction? Or did my conflicted mind purposely block out its existence? Did I subconsciously choose to put the loyalty to my mentor and our team above a heinous act that seems evermore apparent with the passing of time? A mercy killing? Or just another corporate murder ordered by an industry that views profit above life?”

Thank you for your honesty, Vince, and for shining a light on the truth of Bubbles’ fate.

Reply
Vincent Meehan
23/7/2025 10:47:12

David,

We were young, impressionable and possibly more than a little awestruck at our good fortune to be working with such fabulous animals and with a glamorous future ahead. Remember, this was over 50 years ago now and we are very different people. How naive we were.

I saw it and, at that time lacked the moral fortitude and certainty to challenge David Taylor on how it came to be there. I can sympathise and understand your angst. We were all under tremendous pressure to move the project forward and if you didn't see it then that's all there is to be said. No point in second-guessing yourself.

No, in my view there can be only one explanation for that Vaseline. There was plenty around as each animal was carefully and liberally coated with it prior to transport to prevent their skin drying out. I have zero proof but in my mind the only person who could have committed this heinous act was Gary Marshall. He held the keys to the facility and had transport. Means, motive and opportunity. The motive being to remove an otherwise burdensome animal so we could all concentrate on opening Knowsley and Rhyl on time. However, I do not believe for one second that he acted without the blessing, or direction, of those in charge. I'm sure an insurance claim would have quickly followed in order to offset any loss. (Pure speculation on my part but knowing how these people operate, balancing the ledger would take priority above all else.)

Keep up the good work.

David C Holroyd, aka David Capello link
27/7/2025 10:20:08

“Young and impressionable …” You’re not wrong there, Vince! They are the only words to describe just how naive we both were - a mindset all too quickly destroyed by what we both witnessed.

As for your words of compassion about my not clocking the glob of Vaseline wedged in Bubbles’ blowhole, I’m not so sure. I still feel that buried somewhere deep within my psyche is the knowledge I have so long denied.

Regarding your speculation about who might have murdered Bubbles, this is something we will probably never know, just one of the many secrets now buried under the rubble of the South Elmsall training pens.

However, whoever murdered Bubbles will have perpetrated the act with the blessing of the Entam Leisure hierarchy. A corporate hand that had no room for troublesome Atlanteans.

The people reading these comments will hopefully now accept what goes on behind the closed doors of a dolphinarium. Whether or not it changes hearts and minds is a totally different matter. Regardless of who pays the price, some people want their ‘fun’ day out – it is as simple as that.

Thank you again for your compassion, Vince, and be assured that, with the help of people like you, Tracy and I intend to inflict a wound on the captive industry like no one else ever has!

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VINCENT MEEHAN
20/7/2025 16:13:39

Knowsley.

Most of the first days at Knowsley were spent training the animals for their shows and training them to go into the pens on command. This was important as this enabled us to segregate the two teams of Flippa (Herbie) and Duchess and Baby and Scouse. We could then work on each team in isolation, training high jump tricks (only one of each pair would perform these tricks), tail walking, synchronised leaps, etc. It soon became apparent that Flippa and Duchess were the main act.

Over the weeks of that summer, David and I worked the shows along with Sam, then working late into the evenings training, working on new tricks, improving the performance of the dolphins. We came to realise that the four animals in the water was too much for the filtration system to handle and we had to resort to frequent backwashes of the large sand filter followed by topping up the pool to the required depth. This wasn’t an issue during the summer and into the autumn as we were a sell-out attraction. Nine shows a day, seven days a week. I can’t speak for the dolphins but David and I were exhausted. Then came Nutkins.

Terry Nutkins was put in place as manager of the Knowsley Dolphinarium towards the end of autumn, just as audiences for the shows were dropping off and he saw it as his mission in life to operate the facility as cheaply as possible. Samantha and Sue Shields (she’d joined us from Rhyl some weeks earlier) were the first to feel the axe. He felt that there were too many presenters and that these two were surplus to requirements. He clearly didn’t take sickness into account because that left just David and me, and it wasn’t too long before David needed a break. He took a week off as he was thoroughly burnt out, leaving me to deal with shows, training, the water and Nutkins.

I arrived at the dolphinarium one morning to find that the main water pump had tripped during the night, and the water was in an awful state. We couldn’t do shows in such conditions; Nutkins was furious. He accused me of deliberately switching off the pump! We had a few words, not all of them kind and he left to go and sit in his office and simmer while I did all the work.

David came back the following week and we just got back into our routine. Nutkins came back from the weekly meeting in Manchester and casually informed me that I was sacked. He had persuaded the powers that be that I was responsible for the pump failure and, with no further questions, my services were terminated…with prejudice. I was no longer allowed into the Dolphinarium.
End of Part 3.

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David C Holroyd, aka David Capello link
23/7/2025 13:19:35

REPLY TO YOUR PART THREE COMMENT: So much to say about this third piece of your four-part exposé, Vince. So, let’s get to it!

Water filtration and Forced Backwashes: As you quite rightly say, the Knowsley-Safari-Park dolphinarium’s filtration system was NOT fit for purpose. I emphasise that this was NOT down to the safari park’s management but was entirely the fault of Entam Leisure’s money-saving policies. Knowsley’s magnificent purpose-built dolphinarium was viewed by many as a beacon for UK aqua-circus venues, a super 2000-seat colossus that towered over Knowsley’s restaurant and leisure area.

However, its admirers didn’t know that this arena (like all other Entam Leisure dolphinaria) was powered by second-hand equipment; water filtration systems obtained from defunct public swimming pools. This money-saving scam saw the dolphinaria housing filtration units never meant to deal with living sewage generators. To the uninitiated, this meant the more captive Atlanteans Knowsley held, the quicker its waters would deteriorate. I vividly remember how the two of us would embark on all-night water dumps to protect our charges, quite literally pulling the plug on Knowsley’s toxic filth: a mix of spent chlorine, burning urine and dolphin faeces.

Our caring rebellions took a full night and part of a day to complete, forcing the two of us into 48-hour shifts with no sleep. Sadly, these acts of defiance came to an abrupt stop on the arrival of Entam’s newly appointed general manager, Terry Nutkins - an individual who disguised himself as a caring animal protector, whilst constantly enforcing the company’s money-saving agenda to the limit.
Saying that, the no-water-dump policy that Nutkins initiated fell on deaf ears, as the both of us had no intention of halting the protection of our charges – a change of tactic that saw part water dumps performed at midnight … away from prying eyes.

Despite these constraints, we continued to push on, totally unaware that Terry Nutkins had a second agenda. His plan was simple: dismiss everyone he considered dangerous to his corporate climb, ie experienced South Elmsall trainers and handlers … people like YOU, Vince! Sue Shields, Samantha and, at the time, company head trainer, Gary Marshall, who was based at Rhyl.

How stupid we all were not to recognise such a devious ploy, a plan hatched by a man who had NEVER trained a dolphin. This begs the question: why was I alone spared the proverbial axe?

I believe the answer was my Perfect Pair, Duchess and Herb’e, and our super backup team, Baby and Scouse – dolphins that were gaining a huge reputation; dolphins Nutkins viewed as essential to his rise to the top … four Atlanteans inextricably tied to ME!

As for your cruel dismissal and barring from all Entam-Leisure pools, you were not alone in this travesty - I too would eventually suffer the same fate.

To finish, I always viewed our time working together with great fondness. You were my unbreakable staff who never failed to calm my sometimes-explosive temper. You were indeed my unsung hero, Vince, and I thank you for that.

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VINCENT MEEHAN
20/7/2025 16:14:39

Rhyl.

Later the following summer, I was asked to take over the training at Rhyl Dolphinarium as the shows were not being well received. Gary Marshall had left, leaving only a presenter, Gwynneth, and another young girl to run the place. I immediately identified Blodwyn (Big Momma) as the main problem. She was jealous of Flippa (Eccles) as he was doing the high jumping tricks. She was a huge dolphin and, due to the size of the pool, didn’t have the room to get up to speed to achieve the height required. As a result, she was chasing Flippa and preventing him doing the tricks, sometimes attacking him. These were the high-ball and the fish hand.

To address the situation, the vet (I don’t remember if it was Andrew Greenwood or David Taylor) prescribed Librium capsules. These were placed alongside all the other vitamin supplements given to the animal at the beginning of each day. They seemed to work, until they didn’t. Somebody then had the bright idea of bringing in another dolphin. And so, Baby duly arrived from Knowsley to help out with the situation. It did anything but!

Blodwyn took an instant dislike to Baby Dai, as he was then called and things came to a head during one show where Baby Dai was attempting the high-ball and Blodwyn jumped with him and knocked him out of the pool. Fortunately, it was on to the stage and not on to the barrier between the pool and the audience. It was chaos. We terminated the show with massive apologies and immediately made the single pen available so we could segregate either Baby Dai or Blodwyn…we weren’t sure which was best.

David Taylor was called to assess any injuries to Baby Dai. Fortunately, these were easily managed, and to decide the best way forward. I said we should stop the high tricks until such time as we could manage Blodwyn better. The assistant manager of the fairground next door disagreed. With all his knowledge of a month at the fairground he stated with authority that we should continue. Again, I said no, that I would not be party to endangering either Baby Dai or Flippa by having these tricks in the show.

After a break, I came back into the Dolphinarium only to find this assistant manager trying to get Baby Dai to perform he high-ball trick while Blodwyn circled with ill-intent. I told him to stop, at which point he told me to include the jumps or resign. I walked out and never looked back.

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Sahara king
22/7/2025 17:38:20

Wow just wow I am shocked at the experiences and situations you were forced into. I have been told so many accounts of how badly people where treated and how little regard so many had for the dolphins but it still shocks me every time. Thank you so much for sharing with us all after all these years it’s clear the death well murder of bubbles still affects you and I’m not surprised by that in the least. Throughout my research I have found several accounts of this situation taking place and can not begin to understand how that must have felt for someone to actually witness the aftermath and to have known the dolphins personally. Disgusting and shocking are the politest words I can think of at the moment. I hope to never understand the sort of person who could ever actually carry out such as task. Talking to one former trainer I was told of razor blades being stuffed into a fish but the dolphin was wise to something going on and refused to eat only to become ill a few days later with no cause of death officially given. That was the third dolphin death or attempt by the use of razor blades I have come across in recent years.
It is so important for this information to get out to as many people as possible and for them to realise that this is still going on around the world today. The dolphins smile is natures greatest illusion and experiences such as yours bring real insight into the reality of cetacean captivity. Thank you once again for being so open with us all it truly does make a difference.

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VINCENT MEEHAN
26/7/2025 16:27:01

Sahara,

It has become ever more apparent that whilst the animals appear on the balance sheet as an asset, the trainers, presenters, etc, are a cost, along with the food for the animals, vet fees, water and water treatment. As soon as one of those assets is no longer capable of generating income, it is written off…in one way or another, by fair means or foul. By the same token, with the humans, when incomes fall, expenditure must be reduced and the quickest way of doing this is to reduce the number of salaries paid out. The result being a fall in the standard of care for the animals in spite of the best efforts of their carers. This is basic business, and the moneymen and women have no time for sentimentality when it comes to the bottom line.

It is for this reason that aqua-circuses should not exist. You cannot treat a living, breathing, sentient being as if it were just numbers on a balance sheet. Similarly, this is precisely why the terrible treatment of the animals occurs. It is only the trainers/presenters who work closely with them that care deeply for them. The bottom line on a balance sheet has no conscience.

This was the attitude that permeated the whole Entam Leisure Dolphinarium operation. Costs minimised, profits maximised. The same goes for every Aqua-circus in existence. The horrors will continue until such time as the public at large are educated sufficiently to find aqua-circuses abhorrent, with campaigns to get local authorities to reject any and all applications for their siting or development on humanitarian grounds. I do feel attitudes are moving towards this position. Here in Spain, a law was recently passed that gave certain rights to dogs! Cetaceans next, I say.

Wendy Raynor
28/7/2025 16:50:16

This is horrible. I can barely believe what I'm reading. Razorblades hidden in fish and fed to dolphins; globs of Vaseline stuffed into their blowholes. These revelations are nothing short of nightmarish, and from what I'm reading in the other comments on this blog, it is still happening today. This has got to stop and needs to be exposed to the public.

David and Tracy link
29/7/2025 16:25:37

Indeed it does need exposing to the public, Wendy, because the horrors exposed in this and other blog comments are by no means historical. Check out Tracey Ozdemir’s comment on TEETH-PULLING – a heinous act that took place in a Turkish aqua-circus venue only a few years ago. The utter pain and trauma that poor dolphin would have gone through is too horrible to imagine.

I only know about this because Tracey Ozdemir asked me to write an expert-witness statement for a court case she brought against the owners of the venue in question … a court case that, thanks to her dogged activism, she WON! Sadly, the same cannot be said for the traumatised dolphin, who died from constant gum infections. Such is the way of the aqua circus.

Thank you for taking the time to comment, Wendy.

David C Holroyd, aka David Capello link
29/7/2025 17:10:20

Thank you, Sahara, for your courage in bringing this heinous act into the public forum; a comment which I hope will galvanize other dolphinarium workers into commenting – anonymously if necessary.

You state that you have received three testimonies from various sources about razorblade killings. If only these informants had the courage to tell their stories openly and expose the guilty venues to the public at large. Saying that, I do understand the fear of these people to come forward, because whistle-blowers are never received well, something that I know to my cost.

Since these comments were posted by you and Vincent Meehan, I have received further information about the murder of my little, blind prizefighter, Scouse – a luckless Atlantean that, when I walked, was left to the mercy of two Knowsley scumbags. Even I could not have envisaged how horrific their actions would be. It appears that the one I always suspected of murdering Scouse was NOT working alone. There were TWO PLAYERS involved.

I have also learned that, before Scouse was so brutally murdered, one of the killers had been repeatedly beating him with a metal pole, severely damaging his dorsal fin. So, here is MY message for the sole surviving member of this murderous duo:

“YOU HAD THE GALL TO CALL YOURSELF A TRAINER AND PORTRAY YOURSELF AS HOLIER-THAN-THOU … BUT I KNOW WHAT YOU DID! AND, ONCE I HAVE PROOF, YOU WILL BE NAMED AND SHAMED! SO, WATCH YOUR BACK!”

David C Holroyd, aka David Capello link
25/7/2025 14:19:09

REPLY TO YOUR PART FOUR COMMENT: What can I say about Rhyl Dolphinarium that you have not already exposed in your comments, Vince? Except that I hated every single minute I was there! A dreadful venue that always played second fiddle to Knowsley, the pool that you and I opened with a young Duchess and Herb’e.

As you already know, this northwest venue was my punishment for my physical attack on Entam’s general manager, Terry Nutkins; a banishment approved by their senior executive, Ken Andrews (head of Entam Leisure’s dolphinaria). A once fair man who had so succumbed to the manipulations of Nutkins that he had totally lost sight as to just who was now pulling the strings.

As for your reinstatement and takeover of the training at Rhyl, you were gifted a poisoned chalice. The impossible task of trying to save a show that had already collapsed due to sick and weary dolphins. Rhyl was a disaster waiting to happen, as you had no help from an inept management of wannabee dolphin trainers who didn’t know one end of a dolphin from the other, let alone how to care for one. This was proven by the debacle surrounding Baby Dai’s pairing with the violent Blodwyn (also known as Big Mama) – a crazy decision that was wholly down to Nutkins … a decision that he and I argued about long after you had left Knowsley.

The heartache of what happened to Baby is described in vivid detail within the pages of The Perfect Pair Dolphin Trilogy. You and I didn’t need a crystal ball to foresee the outcome of such an insane union. Baby was a gentle infant who lived only to please, and he had no chance of defending himself against a deeply troubled and violent partner. Sadly, despite my remonstrations, I was, as always, overruled by Nutkins, Entam’s new self-appointed dolphin “expert”.

I note that you also questioned the vets’ decision to subdue Blodwyn with Librium. These were supposed to be world-renowned vets, yet they couldn’t - or wouldn’t - see the dire consequences to come. Vets who should have known better: David Taylor, a man who had always supported me, and his then-junior partner, Andrew Greenwood. Consummate professionals – so why didn’t they share our concerns regarding this pairing?

Money! The bending of the knee to Entam Leisure’s demand for impossible shows - an ethos that is to this very day lining corporate pockets across the world on the back of dead dolphins and broken people.

So, listen up, you dolphin lovers who are so quick to buy a ticket - accept the truth of the abuse you are supporting and refuse to visit the aqua-circus venues … because only YOU, the paying public, can end this horror.

Thanks again for having the guts to come forward, Vince … and believe me when I say that Tracy and I have no intention of allowing your brave testimony to end here. SO WATCH THIS SPACE!

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David C Holroyd, aka David Capello link
29/7/2025 16:36:09

PS In my haste to give you an answer, Vince, I spotted a howling mistake that my software on our comments section will not allow us to edit. So, for all reading the above comment, it should read NORTH WALES and not northwest. Apologies for any reader confusion.

Russell Hockins
23/7/2025 07:06:26

Now about halfway through volume two and learned something new. I had no idea there were presenters who are not trainers. This might explain their observing me and running away wheneve I approached to talk to them. That and something I realized from this, my wearing a ballcap from a different facility didn't help. I had no idea there was such animosity between the facilities. I think they may have also been disturbed by my ability to get close to the Orcas with none of their 'special training'. A phrase often touted by SeaWorld to emphasize their 'expertise' with the Orcas.

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David and Tracy link
24/7/2025 14:27:32

For everyone monitoring these blog comments, “… halfway through volume two” means that you, Russell, are now engrossed in The Perfect Pair: The Mirror Cracks, the second book in our award-winning series.

You are quite right to comment on what I have always considered to be an important question: what is the difference between a dolphin trainer and a dolphin presenter? Most people who visit aqua-circus venues believe that they are the same, which of course is NOT true. This is by no means a surprising assumption, as the personable individuals they see onstage are hand-picked show people. However, the truth is that the talented individuals hogging the limelight are there purely to present the trainer’s vision, while most trainers tend to work behind the scenes.

As for your experience of presenters “running away” when visiting a rival aqua-circus venue, a competitor’s name on your clothes will set alarm bells ringing! Dolphinaria workers view all perceive competitors with huge suspicion – an ethos that the owners of these rival venues openly encourage.

We hope that you are enjoying your read of The Perfect Pair Dolphin Trilogy, and pray that our message about these dreadful places is hitting home loud and clear. This is an exposé meant to persuade all who read it to NEVER again visit a dolphinarium.

To finish, can I ask you to please check out the comments of Vincent Meehan and Sahara King, as they deal directly with the truths of our trilogy. However, SPOILER ALERT! Vincent Meehan’s comments reveal the TRUE identities of The Perfect Pair’s players.

Thanks again for your interest and your comments, Russell. They are always welcome.

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Tracey Ozdemir
29/7/2025 14:15:33

Upon reviewing all these articles, one begins to understand that the grim and disturbing truths within these parks represent a worldwide concern. The same problems, just in different nations. 
In Turkey's Marmaris, the dolphin park is associated with a never-ending list of cruel practices. The dumping of dolphins at sea seems to be a standard procedure worldwide. We had an incident involving a young calf that died; its body was taken to the back office, where it was cut into pieces, and the remains were put into a black bin liner, which was then disposed of at sea. 
Jonas, in particular, suffered from numerous serious injuries, including an eye infection, which was not properly treated because the park owners declined to hire qualified veterinarians and instead employed a young student vet from Russia, who had only been trained in small domestic animals. 
A significant portion of the medication that was utilised had been kept on a shelf, was expired, and was unsuitable for its intended purpose, rendering it ineffective for the ailments affecting these dolphins. 
Buckthorn oil was commonly used for tube feeding dolphins in poor health, yet it significantly deteriorated their conditions. 
Jonas was administered bananas mixed with a cocktail of drugs aimed at ending his life, which triggered a violent reaction in him, causing him to swim desperately and collide with the fixtures and fittings of the dreadful place he was held, inflicting significant injuries. The initial dosage, however, did not yield the anticipated results, leading to him being force-fed additional amounts until Jonas ultimately passed away.

A whistleblower revealed to me that this was the owner's intention, as she could not tolerate the thought of me transferring him to a sanctuary, especially knowing that the park's closure was imminent. 
Every day, I live with that guilt, reflecting on whether I could have pursued a different path for the closure. 
Numerous trainers originated from Mexico and expressed dissatisfaction with the park's operations and the treatment of the dolphins. However, the owner issued threats that were so intense that they felt too intimidated to voice their concerns in court, leaving them fearful even when speaking to me. 
We had a dolphin whose teeth were completely removed because he played too aggressively with the other dolphins. The owners were concerned about the safety of paying customers swimming with him, prioritising profits above all else. 
A variety of medications were created at the park. The owner would make phone calls to people she identified as doctors in Russia, explaining the symptoms, and they would offer her recipes for different homemade treatments for the dolphins, all aimed at reducing costs. 
We understand that blood tests would indicate potential issues with a local veterinarian, and often, new dolphin names would be listed in the results. The vet inquired if everything was okay, and the owner maintained they could handle all matters. 
We have discovered even more disturbing truths; the atrocities occurring behind the scenes are unimaginable. The captivity of dolphins and whales is a highly lucrative business, yet the concealed realities and the pain inflicted are appalling. This abhorrent industry must be abolished.

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David and Tracy link
30/7/2025 16:25:09

Thanks again for breaking your busy schedule in animal activism to make a comment, Tracey.

The horrendous testimonies coming in from former aqua-circus workers are not only gut-wrenching but also deeply upsetting. Last night, we read two testimonies by a whistle-blower who wishes to remain anonymous. These have not yet been posted, but on reading, they made me (Tracy) weep. Even so, as bad as these revelations are, these are the truths we want to hear, because there can be no time for sentiment whilst our precious Atlanteans are suffering such cruelty at the hands of this psychopathic industry. Venues such as the MARMARIS DOLPHIN PARK IN TURKEY … aqua-circus hellholes that feed on the ignorance of eager tourists. (Many of them British.) The Universe demands that these places be exposed, something that we at The Perfect Pair Dolphin Trilogy fully intend to do.

So, here is a special message to all would-be whistle-blowers: “Unlike the PC ceta charities, WE will welcome YOU with open arms, because YOU are the people who have witnessed these atrocities first-hand. YOU are the ones who must live with these horrific memories. So, here’s the deal: you need not give us your true names or the names of the perpetrators. All we need is your testimony and the name of the venue in which the abuse took place. We do not care whether the abuse took place last week or 60 years ago … It ALL needs to be EXPOSED!

“Remember, it is YOU who have the tee-shirt, something that those who criticise you do NOT have! By this, we mean those so-called experts who learned about cetacean care by reading books.”

As for your comment, Tracey, where you say that you blame yourself for the death of the dolphin, Jonas, you have NOTHING to reproach yourself for. You did your level best to challenge the evil woman who owned, abused and ultimately murdered him – a MONSTER who only cares about filling her pockets on the backs of dead dolphins.

You were also right in exposing the MARMARIS DOLPHIN PARK'S horrific dolphin TOOTH-PULLING – a truly horrific act that made us both want to scream.

Regarding the Russian connection to the Marmaris Dolphin Park: Russia has been money-laundering via the global aqua-circus venues for decades. Their gangster hands are in EVERYTHING.

Thanks again for your comment, Tracey – and keep up your fantastic work, because it is people like you that keep us focussed.

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Tracy J Holroyd link
11/8/2025 15:11:42

We asked for former ceta trainers, handlers, presenters and other captive ceta facility workers to come forward and speak out. Anonymously if you wish. They have come forward and words cannot express what we have learned. It's more horrific than we could ever imagine. And it's just as horrific today as it was in David Capello's day.

We have also learned more about what happened to our little prizefighter, Scouse, how this brave, blind dolphin suffered even before he was murdered in one of the cruelest ways imaginable. We also have names, one of whom is still alive.

I want to send this surviving monster a personal message. One from me, and me alone. Anyone out there who suspects that they might know who I'm talking about, please pass my message on:

"I know what YOU did. And NOW it's personal."

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David C Holroyd (aka David Capello) and Tracy J Holroyd link
19/8/2025 11:09:42

With UK whistle-blowers now reaching out to The Perfect Pair Dolphin Trilogy to expose the horrors inflicted on their Atlantean captives, this appears to be as good a time as any to resurrect what many considered to be a libellous attack on my person by the pro-captivity dolphin presenter John Dineley.

This man worked in the Entam Leisure Knowsley show pool after I left – one of many Entam Leisure pools that are constantly being linked to ceta abuse. So, for those who missed my original reply dated 1/11/2015, here it is again for ALL to read:

BLOG REPLY PART ONE

Some of you may recall a poisonous blog post written by John Dineley, the pro-captivity ex-marine mammal presenter/trainer. It featured on Mr Dineley’s blog, And the Moonbeams Kissed the Sea, and was promoted by the pro-circus blog, Astley’s Legacy; blogs that enable the opinionated Dineley to launch written attacks – without redress - on anyone and everyone who disagrees with his twisted philosophy on animal captivity.

The offending post was dated 10th October 2013. However, since then it has been changed on at least three different occasions, with material edited in and – even more intriguingly – material edited out.

As authors of the award-winning The Perfect Pair Dolphin Trilogy, we have had to walk a legal tightrope in bringing our story to the public, something that the vindictive Mr Dineley was all too aware of and used to his advantage. Thankfully, our gruelling exposé is now finished, so we no longer have to suffer in silence.

But before we address Mr Dineley’s post, we would like to cut through the bull that he’s been feeding the public for the past few decades.

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David C Holroyd (aka David Capello) and Tracy J Holroyd link
19/8/2025 11:14:27

BLOG REPLY PART 2

Who is John Dineley?

He describes himself as an ex-sea lion/dolphin trainer from the 1970s – an expert, in fact. But in truth, he is anything but.

Whilst researching The Perfect Pair Dolphin Trilogy, we found nothing to suggest that Mr Dineley was ever recognised by his peers as a true trainer. His claim to fame appears to come solely from the vast amount of literature that he himself has posted. In fact, according to his CV, he spent much of his career moving from one training establishment to another - hardly a glowing recommendation for his self-publicised training talent. So please don’t be fooled by the propaganda of this manipulative man; his only attribute seems to be the size of his ego.

We will now address the offending blog itself, ever mindful of the legal constraints that we, as authors, still have to endure – meaning that we can neither confirm nor deny the names of the people and places so freely bandied about by Mr Dineley. However, what we can say is that Dineley clearly recognised the story chronicled in The Perfect Pair Dolphin Trilogy to be true and, when suggesting names, made care to omit those contemporaries with whom he still maintains contact.

This pro-captivity activist cynically referred to Capello as a man who worked for ‘a limited time as a dolphin presenter and trainer’, conveniently choosing to overlook Capello’s considerable achievements. First, Duchess and Herb’e - The Perfect Pair - two dolphins who worked in perfect unison, and the only dolphins in Europe to perform the legendary shadow ballet. Second, the miniature super team, Baby and Scouse - an illegally-imported infant and a dolphin blinded in captivity.

He also neglected to mention that the lords of the captive industry so revered Capello’s talent that, in an attempt to lure him out of his self-imposed retirement, they actually offered him Europe’s top training position.

However, Dineley did fantasize loudly about training methods, as he attempted to discredit Capello’s success with an accusation of cruelty - a ludicrous claim, as it was well known that Capello’s beloved Atlanteans would work only for him. Dineley pontificated extensively about ‘shake sessions’ - a training practice of which the world would have remained blissfully unaware had Capello himself not exposed it in our first book. Unbelievably, Dineley tried to attribute these shake sessions solely to Capello – something he later retracted.

Dineley, this self-professed dolphin expert, explained in vivid detail just what he believed a shake session to entail: ‘… locking animals in holding pens and beating metal polls [sic] on the pool floor and sides and shouting at the animals to cause them fear and distress.’ A truly horrendous description – and certainly not the shake session described in The Perfect Pair: The Enchanted Mirror.

Mr Dineley’s version of a shake session was infinitely more sinister, albeit described by a man who constantly claimed never to have witnessed this type of conditioning. Hard to believe when his general manager’s use of the stick is well-documented in forums throughout the internet. So ask yourself: during his training days, did Mr Dineley conveniently walk around with his eyes closed? Or is he doggedly maintaining the vow of silence that the captive industry demands of all its employees?

The truth is that this despicable blog was written for two purposes: one, to destroy the character of a man once hailed as Europe’s finest trainer; two, to defend and justify the keeping of captive cetaceans by discrediting the industry’s main whistle-blower.

John Dineley’s apparent hatred of everything Capello even manifested itself as a spiteful comment about Capello’s mentor, whom Dineley described as ‘… a former travelling salesman who stumbled into dolphin training …’.

And so to finish, this is our verdict. We believe that John Dineley is quite simply a non-entity with delusions of grandeur; a failed trainer who was forced to live in the shadow of the giant that was Capello. His vicious blog is nothing more than the result of decades of envy and animosity - all heaped against a man whom he met for barely 15 minutes.

‘Well, Mr Dineley, your worst nightmare has returned. Capello blew you away over 40 years ago … and now he’s back to do it all over again.’

David C Holroyd and Tracy J Holroyd
Members of the Society of Authors

David Symes
21/8/2025 10:50:44

I remain utterly unable to comprehend how anyone can so completely abdicate what it means to be human; yet that, it would appear, is what this man Dineley has done. Though it is now some time since I finished your amazing trilogy, and therefore I know what happened, I am still moved to tears by Scouse's last communication with you, David.

He, at least, is now beyond any such brutality; yet all too many of his successors are not, in far too many places. May it be that this whole obscene business is soon consigned to the dustbin of history, where it belongs.

My very best wishes to you both.

David and Tracy link
21/8/2025 10:57:19

Thank you for commenting, David.

As you are already aware, the names of all people and places revealed in The Perfect Pair Dolphin Trilogy book series were changed to avoid legal problems at the time of printing. However, both Tracy and I were adamant that the names of the non-human players should remain intact so as to give them a voice – one with the power to change hearts and minds regarding a horrific industry that should have been consigned to history decades ago.

As for the jumped-up presenter, John Dineley, he has now been exposed as not just an over-ambitious conman, but also a fiend!

RIP dear Scouse and all those doomed to swim in his wake.

Tracy J Holroyd link
19/8/2025 14:04:00

Update - John Dineley's post attacking former head dolphin trainer/whistle-blower, David C Holroyd, has now been removed. Reason unknown. In other words, your guess is as good as ours.

Reply
Shelley
19/8/2025 14:08:45

Wow! This is really something. Boy its a good thing that this Jackass has disappeared. He is nothing but a lying jealous coward. Hiding behind his keyboard. He is not brave enough to face you like a man. And he is such a fraud. He proved that himself. Is he that ignorant to think that David would not find out “EVERYTHING!” Apparently so. SMH!!
That man is a waste of skin!!
I apologize, David if my comment is a little crude. But this man just gets under my skin!

Tracy J Holroyd link
19/8/2025 14:10:55

Thank you for your supportive comment, Shelley. When we first read Dineley's toxic, rambling blog, we truly believed that it was simply a jealous rant aimed at discrediting David.

Now we know that it wasn't a jealous rant - it was a TERRIFIED rant. Dineley was terrified that the publication of our book would eventually lead to our discovering what HE did.

It's been a long time coming - almost a decade - but now we KNOW what he did.

Our darling Scouse - a dolphin who lost his sight during his traumatic journey into captivity. He couldn't escape you. He couldn't even see you. How could you?

Understand this, Dineley: now, it's personal.

Shelley
19/8/2025 14:13:21

You are so welcome. I am so outraged at this evil monster and I just had to express my thoughts.
He had every right to be terrified. Now it is coming around and he will be even more terrified. The truth has been found and it cannot be ignored.
He should be man enough to come forward and own what he did. But anyone that could do what he did to Scouse could never be a man and certainly never have remorse.
He needs to meet Belinda Fellgate and her army!!!

David C Holroyd, aka David Capello link
19/8/2025 14:26:08

I first believed John Dineley’s unwarranted attack was fuelled purely by jealousy … Now I know that it was his fear of what I might discover. So, I hear you ask: why have I chosen to resurrect my reply to his despicable rant?

The answer is simple: a number of whistle-blowers have unexpectedly emerged from the past, and the events they are reporting regarding Rhyl and Knowsley dolphinaria are as sickening as they are upsetting.

It is well-documented that when I was forced out of Knowsley Safari Park by the then general manager, Terry Nutkins, the Knowsley show suffered a near-catastrophic collapse.

Once I was ousted, this venue became the base pool for both Terry Nutkins and John Dineley – a once-sparkling dolphinarium that housed many of my late charges … including my little blind prizefighter, Scouse.

So, Mr Dineley, please take note: if what I’m hearing about my beloved Scouse is true, then you should be ashamed of yourself. And, once I have the proof, both you and the now-deceased former BBC animal presenter, Terry Nutkins, will be exposed for the monsters you truly are!

As for your comment, Shelley, I could not AGREE with you more!

Shelley
19/8/2025 14:39:50

David it took all these years, but you never gave up. And I know you will never give up until the whole truth is exposed. Scouse deserves to have his story told as well as ALL the others. And I know you will make that happen. This coward Dineley has no same! If he had even a inkling of conscience he would off manned up and had a conversation with you. He has had YEARS!!!!
But he would rather hide behind the keyboard and attach you. He had no choice but to take down the whole blog and basically disappear.
He knew he had proverbially POKED THE BEAR!!
YOU know what he/they did…you will get the proof you are looking for and you will find him and you WILL expose him and Terry for the monsters they are!!

David C Holroyd, aka David Capello link
19/8/2025 14:45:04

The story of blind Scouse was traumatic enough without hearing, well over a decade later, from whistle-blowers who revealed what this poor disabled dolphin suffered whilst in the ‘care’ of John Dineley and his twisted general manager Terry Nutkins.

Everyone involved, including the higher Entam Leisure management and the vets they employed, should hang their heads in shame at what went on behind the closed doors of both Knowsley and Rhyl dolphinaria. In fact, the reports are so bad that they made me want to scream.

As for the proof, like you say, Shelley, once I have it, I will use it not only to blast the aqua-circus industry, but also those abusers who worked within it.

Vincent Meehan
19/8/2025 14:21:14

I did a quick internet search for John Dinely. It seems his internet profile has sunk even lower than he is. Very odd for somebody with such a high profile years ago...the internet NEVER forgets you. All I can suggest is that all his fantasies have been taken down. Who could have done that, I wonder?

As for Scouse, I loved the bones of that little fella. If Dinely had anything to do with his demise, well, it's personal to me now, too.

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David and Tracy
19/8/2025 14:59:09

Thanks for commenting, Vince. There is a lot more to come regarding the atrocities committed against Scouse and other Entam Leisure dolphins.

We are expecting the arrival of MORE hard-hitting testimonies about what happened at Rhyl Dolphinarium after you walked.

As for Dineley, once we challenged him, his internet presence started to fade. At first, we thought he didn't want to go head-to-head with David, but if what we are hearing is true, his lying low was for an entirely different reason - a reason that will be fully exposed if it is down to us.

We know how you felt about Scouse. That little dolphin had such character, courage and charisma - and he didn't deserve the horrible fate that awaited him.

Keep checking these comments, Vince - we're sure you'll have a lot more to say.

Reply
Sahara King
28/8/2025 13:30:50

PART ONE
WENDY (ANONYMOUS)

"This has been written by Sahara King in collaboration with Wendy (not actual name) regarding the personal experiences of Wendy whilst working within three separate dolphinariums in the UK from 1970 until 1976.

"What follows is a collection of memories Wendy believes to be fact. She has never shared these memories before."

*****

First, I want to make one thing clear: I am not scared of any of the bosses or staff members I worked with. I just want to protect my family and those I worked with who I still respect and care about. I started this as a long-winded statement which honestly went into more detail than I am comfortable with, so I have decided to make this simpler.

Shake-down sessions: I was told these were designed to break the mind and spirit of wild or unruly dolphins who needed to be brought into line. Dolphins were confined to shallow or dry areas so they couldn’t escape; sometimes nets were used to keep them put. Metal objects like mop handles, a tire iron, buckets and freezer dishes were smashed onto walls, floors and railings around the dolphin. Wooden broom handles were often used to hit the dolphin directly. They would be hit on the back and head; on one occasion I saw a dolphin being beaten in the face and, when they opened their mouth, teeth were knocked out, later recovered from the pool.

Bringing a dolphin in line: this was when a dolphin would be kicked, slapped, punched and poked in the eye. This was usually reserved for the well-established dolphins who would be willing to push the boundaries more than a younger or inexperienced one. They saw it as some sort of punishment for minor rebellion and mistakes.

Shouting and swearing would be involved with both punishments. It was actually the first time I had been introduced to many of those kind of words.

These were both standard practice at the two dolphinariums I worked in from 1970 until 1975. The memories of this time I pushed back and ignored until this year (2025), and I am now deeply affected by them again.

TO BE CONTINUED

Reply
Sahara King
28/8/2025 13:38:46

PART TWO
WENDY (ANONYMOUS)

"This has been written by Sahara King in collaboration with Wendy (not actual name) regarding the personal experiences of Wendy whilst working within three separate dolphinariums in the UK from 1970 until 1976.

"What follows is a collection of memories Wendy believes to be fact. She has never shared these memories before."

*****

The people I worked with were sick in the head - myself included. If you weren’t abusing the animals, you were made sick by watching it happen and not being able to stop it. Either way, you were left damaged. I convinced myself that these were big powerful animals who needed to be controlled for their own safety and ours. I didn’t understand that food deprivation was a way of controlling them. I didn’t understand that confining them was a way of punishing them. In those days, giving a child a smacked bottom was normal and encouraged as a way of punishing and controlling a child’s behaviour, so as a youngster myself I saw no real problem with it. This went way beyond a simple smacked bottom and soon I couldn’t ignore the feeling of shame - it made me feel sick to my stomach. After witnessing a female dolphin almost die during a shake-down session, I left the dolphinarium and never returned. I intended to never go back to working with dolphins, but I moved to another area, and a friend told me of work going at the local animal park. It was something I knew I could manage and work around my personal life.

When I went to work at the final dolphinarium (Windsor Safari Park), I was surprised to find that no punishments like this were acceptable. In fact, the dolphinarium manager, Tez, would have killed someone with his bare hands if they hurt one of his dolphins intentionally. When I left, I put the life out of my mind and moved on. To my shame, I can’t even remember the names of the dolphins I worked with, or most of the staff, but I remember what happened. I remember dolphins being physically abused, starved, locked up in the dark alone and shouted at.

I’m sorry to those dolphins I let down, and I’m sorry I didn’t do more to stop it. I did contact the RSPCA many years ago and told them everything I had seen, but they never got back to me. I’m hoping that, by sharing these memories, I can honour those dolphins in some way by bringing to light the abuse they suffered.

Reply
David and Tracy link
28/8/2025 14:35:32

Before we address the horrors you so vividly describe, Wendy, can we say a big “Well done!” to Tez (Windsor Safari Park) for refusing to tolerate abuse on his watch.

As many people may already know, after walking away from Entam Leisure, I (David) was offered the job of head ceta trainer at Windsor Safari Park’s orca/dolphin show pool, a job of a lifetime that I declined due to my soul-destroying experiences under the yoke of Entam’s then general manager, Terry Nutkins.

And so, back to your brave testimony, Wendy – a testimony that can only be described as horrific. Judging by the comments we’re receiving, your witness statement appears to have been the norm in many UK dolphinaria of that time. We refer especially to the so-called training technique known as ‘shake sessions’. A deplorable practice we first exposed in our book, “The Perfect Pair: The Enchanted Mirror”; a barbarity that I (David) was falsely accused of having invented myself by the pro-captivity dolphin presenter, John Dineley, in his poisonous blog on the pro-circus website, Astley’s Legacy. An accusation, we stress … HE LATER RETRACTED.

However, from your testimony, it is apparent to me (David) that this shameful form of punishment had morphed into something altogether more sinister and violent than I recognised, ie physically beating the trapped Atlanteans with metal poles and God-knows-what-else. You even describe a so-called trainer kicking a dolphin around the head and mouth – a barbarity that resulted in knocking out the Atlantean’s teeth. TRULY HORRIFIC!

Finally, we are aware that you have chosen for safety reasons not to reveal the venues involved, which is a shame, as these dolphinaria workers need exposing for the psychopaths they are.

However, we are fully aware of the personal threats levelled against those who witnessed these atrocities by the gangster owners and the bullyboys they employed. So, a huge thank you for having the courage to become a whistle-blower, Wendy.

Also, a BIG thank you to you, Sahara King, for bringing these witness statements to the public.

Vincent Meehan
28/8/2025 16:50:50

Wow, I feel physically sick. Reading about the abuse of those beautiful cetaeceans makes me want to...let's just say provide the perpetrators with some of their own medicine and leave it at that.

There's a very good reason for a dolphin not to perform and it's up to the trainer to analyse behaviour and spot when one of his/her charges is below par. It could be exhaustion, too many shows over too short a period of time, illness, poor water quality, bad food, or a host of other possibilities. Subjecting them to a rein of terror is a surefire way ruin an animal and, in the context of underperformance, totally self-defeating as well as being cruel, barbaric and against the law.

I look forward to reading more from Wendy. Perhaps she'll feel able to identify the dolphinaria she worked at. It certainly wasn't Knowsley or Rhyl, at least not during my tenure, and I'm pretty sure David never saw such behaviour.

This all might have happened many years ago but, whoever you are, there's no statute of limitations for needless cruelty and your sins will be aired.

David C Holroyd, aka David Capello link
29/8/2025 08:49:01

I wish to add a further comment, Wendy, regarding your approach to the RSPCA … not the charity I would have chosen to reach out to as I think of them more as a cats-and-dogs-type charity.

Saying that, judging by the huge number of complaints coming in about all these so-called caring charities, I very much doubt if the result would have been any different. I say this because, like you and so many others, when I left the captive industry, a broken man, I suffered the same ignominious fate with Greenpeace, who proved to be yet another self-professed animal charity who chose to run a mile rather than challenge the captive industry. I even responded to a TV appeal for dolphinaria logbooks – and I never heard another thing.

So, I ask again: any charity director who is monitoring these dreadful testimonies, PLEASE have the courage to make comment on the torrent of charity bashing that is appearing on this blog … because, thus far, NONE have!

David C Holroyd, aka David Capello link
29/8/2025 11:17:05

Thank you again for commenting, Vince. As an ex-dolphinaria worker, your input is vital in further exposing the horrors that this industry inflicts on both Atlanteans and humans alike. Disappointingly, despite the horrors aired in these testimonies, the vast number of former trainers and presenters have chosen to remain silent.

Particularly troubling is the US and European trainers’ refusal to come forward. So many big-shot ceta trainers out there, basking in their self-publicised glory in an attempt to grab the limelight, all on the back of dead dolphins. NO conscience, NO compassion, NO GUTS! Yet another reason why this corrupt industry continues to thrive.

As for your comment, Vince, I AGREE with everything you say.

Sahara King
31/8/2025 13:45:08

PART ONE
ADAM (REAL NAME) – THE UNNAMED HELLHOLE

"This has been written by me, Sahara King, in collaboration with Adam, who is happy for me to use his first name. The facility in which this account is placed has not been named as Adam has not given his permission for me to do so. Names of other people involved have not been used other than one man who is named as Simon. This name is used as it has now been proven to have been wrong and so will not reveal his actual identity."

*****

I was 17 years old when I started, a child really but at the time you feel like a grown-up. I had always liked animals and had spent the previous summer working as a lifeguard, so I could show I was a strong swimmer.

After the interview, I was taken to the tank where the dolphins were. I will never forget the smell hitting me like a train, a train filled with rotting fish. The water was murky, and I could hardly see the dolphins when they went below the surface. I was told that the water was due to be drained and changed the next day, and that assisting with this would be my first job. I should have ran for it there and then, or at least never gone back the next day, but desperate for money and independence, I did just that.

I could smell the foul odour as I walked into the building. Even though I thought I had prepared myself for it, I am sure it had gotten worse since the previous day. Before my arrival, the dolphins had been taken from the main area of the tank and placed into a smaller section which was gated off. They looked very distressed, and the noise coupled with the smell made my stomach churn violently.

I was asked to watch the dolphins for signs of stress and to make sure that none of them panicked and jumped out onto the floor as the water levels lowered. To me those poor dolphins looked more stressed than I thought possible, and having never met them before, I offered them no comfort during this terrible ordeal. They thrashed continually as the water drained away until they were left sliding around on the tank base. One of them slid face first into the gate and let out a loud shriek, drowning out the echoing thud from the impact. A man’s voice I didn’t yet recognise called out to me asking what had happened and if the dolphin was okay. I replied they seemed alright, and I couldn’t see an injury or blood. The voice called back out to me to come around the other side of the tank and help clean.

I was given a large pair of black gloves and was told I would soon be annoyed with them, but that they had to be offered. Cleaning equipment and supplies were stacked to the side ready to be slid into the tank after we climbed down. Scrubbing that tank was the most satisfying task I have ever been given and as it was refilled with fresh clean water, seeing the excitement of the dolphins made every drop of sweat worth its weight in gold. As the gate opened, they all rushed out into the larger area eager to stretch their aching bodies after hours of confinement.

This weekly task would never lose its charm, but as my time went on at the dolphinarium and I gained insight and bonds with the dolphins, I would understand how dangerous and frighting this was for them. Now I realise that this should have been done at least once a day and that this fact fully explains why that water smelled so badly after just 48 hours of being cleaned.

Reply
Sahara King
31/8/2025 13:50:58

PART TWO
ADAM (REAL NAME) – THE UNNAMED HELLHOLE

"This has been written by me, Sahara King, in collaboration with Adam, who is happy for me to use his first name. The facility in which this account is placed has not been named as Adam has not given his permission for me to do so. Names of other people involved have not been used other than one man who is named as Simon. This name is used as it has now been proven to have been wrong and so will not reveal his actual identity."

*****

The first death of a dolphin occurred within a matter of weeks of my new placement, but try as I might the details are lost to me. I am fairly sure that, as the new guy, things where hidden from me because they did not know if I was trustworthy or not. By the time of the second death, five months in, my loyalty was not in a position to be questioned, as this dolphin would die before my eyes.

It was late evening and after yet another satisfying clean. As was usual for me, I stood watching the dolphins as they rushed from confinement with great excitement - that is apart from one who remained within the small pool. Still keeping an eye on the group I walked towards this lone dolphin, who laid on the surface with its nose pressing against the tank wall. Bending down closer, I felt a deep desire for physical contact with the dolphin, but something within me told me not to reach out. I was not one of the chosen few able to work directly with them and so needed permission to interact with the dolphins on a personal and physical basis.

I stayed bent in front of the dolphin and watched as its eyes remained opened and fixed - on what, I have no clue. One of the trainers approached and asked me what was taking place. I explained there was something wrong with the dolphin as it had not moved. He sat crossed legged beside me and softly spoke to the dolphin who showed no reaction. Slowly, he placed a flat palm on the head of the dolphin and began to gently push it away from the wall. Still, the dolphin showed no interest.

The trainer stood and called to another that a vet needed to be summoned immediately. He turned to me and said the dolphin needed to be placed in a sling, as he was concerned that the dolphin was becoming so sick as to be unable to support itself for much longer and would likely drown. A large canvas sling was secured in the corner of the small pool. Although the other dolphins’ curiosity compelled them to inspect the new feature, the sick individual remained in the same position until slowly guided into place by the trainer. For the next few hours, he remained by his dolphin’s side, talking softly and gently caressing its head. The only response from the dolphin was to breathe and stare straight ahead.

By the end of the evening, with all the work we could possibly find done and no more excuses to remain, we had no choice but to leave with the two of them still lying beside each other. Early the next morning, I arrived expecting the worst, but as I walked towards the dolphinarium, I could hear raised voices coming from inside.

Reply
Sahara King
31/8/2025 13:56:17

PART THREE
ADAM (REAL NAME) – THE UNNAMED HELLHOLE

"This has been written by me, Sahara King, in collaboration with Adam, who is happy for me to use his first name. The facility in which this account is placed has not been named as Adam has not given his permission for me to do so. Names of other people involved have not been used other than one man who is named as Simon. This name is used as it has now been proven to have been wrong and so will not reveal his actual identity."

*****

Opening the door hesitantly, I stepped inside to be greeted by the entire team, who were stood in silence listening to the blazing row taking place. As we stood silently together, it was clear what the argument was about: the owner wanted to end the life of the sick dolphin and the trainer, who presumably had been by its side all night, wanted treatment. After what felt like hours, the owner stormed past us without saying a word and slamming the door behind him.

In single file, we slowly entered to find the trainer once again at his dolphin’s side. Over the morning, one of his female colleagues convinced him that she would take over and would call him immediately if the dolphin’s condition changed. He needed rest, otherwise he was of no use to the sickly dolphin. At midday, he relented and left the dolphinarium. This turned out to be the very moment the owner had been waiting for. The woman charged with the dolphin’s care done as she promised, but still had her other dolphins to care for, and so when their training session came around, she was forced to leave the sickly dolphin and attend to her other charges.

I offered to get the fish buckets for this session, but she said she needed to stretch herself before working with them, so I was to remain with the dolphin while she went into the preparation area. It seemed to me that as soon as she closed the door, the owner appeared with another man who I didn’t recognise. They approached quickly and told me to move away.

As I did, I noticed that the man who I didn’t know had two long needles in his hand with rubber stoppers on the ends. The owner stood by the dolphin’s head as the other man instructed me to lift the dolphin’s tail for him. He placed the needles on the side and took out a large syringe from his jacket pocket, which he used to draw blood from the dolphin’s tail before replacing it into his pocket. Then, he took the two needles and injected both solutions into the dolphin’s tail, saying, “That should do it!” before hurriedly walking towards the door.

I lowered the dolphin’s tail and looked over to the owner for answers that never came. He just stood looking down at the dolphin for a moment until he heard a noise coming from the prep area, which sent him scampering to the door. Left alone with the dolphin, panic took over my body, so I ran to the prep room. Something within me knew that this dolphin was about to die, and it needed its trainer now. I slipped over twice between the tank and prep room door, cutting my head on the first fall, so when I burst through the door, it must have given them a real shock.

“He injected him twice! He injected him twice!”

Sahara King
31/8/2025 14:03:04

PART FOUR
ADAM (REAL NAME) – THE UNNAMED HELLHOLE

"This has been written by me, Sahara King, in collaboration with Adam, who is happy for me to use his first name. The facility in which this account is placed has not been named as Adam has not given his permission for me to do so. Names of other people involved have not been used other than one man who is named as Simon. This name is used as it has now been proven to have been wrong and so will not reveal his actual identity."

*****

Knowing immediately what I meant, the three team members ran past me from the prep room, one shouting to another to phone the trainer immediately. I caught my breath for a moment before following them back to the sickly dolphin. I deeply wish I hadn’t. Over what felt like an age - but could have been less than half an hour in reality - we watched helplessly as the drugs fulfilled their purpose on the dolphin’s struggling system. Its body thrashed and contorted into unnatural shapes; white froth spilled from its mouth and blow hole; and it seemed to be screaming.

We stood frozen in place and utterly helpless. I was so absorbed in what I was witnessing that I didn’t notice the dolphin’s trainer arrive until he was in the water beside his beloved companion, desperately trying to stop the convulsing. Fearing he would be drowned, myself and another grabbed hold of his arms, holding him back against the tank walls until finally the dolphin was still.

Blood began to slowly dribble from the dolphin’s mouth as it lay peacefully on the sling. As we released the trainer, he sprang to the dolphin’s side and wrapped his arms around the dying creature’s neck. Kissing the side of the dolphin’s head, he spoke softly, asking for forgiveness.

The end came swiftly, with one final breath being released with a tinge of red, the dolphin looked directly at its devastated trainer before closing its eyes.

Tears from all in the room came so heavily, I believe we could have refilled the tank - not just for our departed friend but for the other dolphins who we only now realised had witnessed the entire ordeal.

As we watched, all the dolphins swam slowly in a tight circle at the centre of the tank, before breaking the surface together and raising their voices to the skies. The mournful cries of the dolphins filled the building, sending chills throughout my body.

After regaining his composure, the trainer pulled himself from the pool. He stood there before us a broken man. Turning to his team, he could manage only two words: “Clean up!” before stiffly heading for the main door and disappearing into the bright sunlight beyond.

Reply
Sahara King
31/8/2025 14:10:38

PART FIVE
ADAM (REAL NAME) – THE UNNAMED HELLHOLE

"This has been written by me, Sahara King, in collaboration with Adam, who is happy for me to use his first name. The facility in which this account is placed has not been named as Adam has not given his permission for me to do so. Names of other people involved have not been used other than one man who is named as Simon. This name is used as it has now been proven to have been wrong and so will not reveal his actual identity."

*****

With the trainer now gone, we continued to stand staring while the dolphins called in the background, quieter now, but still just as haunting. The guilt-stricken female trainer broke the spell by clapping her hands and telling us to get the equipment needed to remove the body. Working in almost total silence, we took the dolphin from the tank and moved it to the prep room where we could place the body in the cold store. Having never been in this situation before, I had no idea what to expect and, not wanting to cause anyone more distress, I decided asking questions was not advisable, so took instructions in silence.

Tea, hot sweet tea, helps any situation, so after closing the cold store door and taking a moment’s silence, that was our next move. Silent now, the dolphins resumed their tight-circle formation in the middle of the tank, as we took our place in the audience seating area. Very little conversation followed until it came time for another round of tea, and we noticed our colleague’s tea remained untouched on a seat. Where was he?

A sign had been placed on the door informing the public that no shows would be taking place that day, and we all assumed it had been placed there by him. Halfway through our second helping of hot tea, one of the secretaries walked into the dolphinarium with grim news to share. Our trainer friend had been arrested.

Information would slowly come to light through gossip and eye-witness accounts over the coming days. Enraged at the murder of his beloved dolphin, he had walked into the owner’s office and demanded to know who had performed the task, knowing the owner himself never physically got his hands dirty. When the owner refused to acknowledge any such action taking place, the trainer had threatened him with violence and threw items from his desk across the room. The guilty man had then entered the office, bravely claiming he had done what he felt was right for the dolphin, that the animal was suffering, so he had stepped up to end that suffering.

What happened next is disputed and exaggerated I’m sure, but a fight did take place, and after this, the trainer walked from the office unharmed and took a seat at a nearby desk. From there, he called for an ambulance and the police to attend, confessing what he had done.

The trainer was never seen again at the dolphinarium and, through colleagues, I was told that he had moved to another dolphinarium in Europe, where he would meet his future wife.

Reply
Sahara King
31/8/2025 14:16:30

PART SIX
ADAM (REAL NAME) – THE UNNAMED HELLHOLE

"This has been written by me, Sahara King, in collaboration with Adam, who is happy for me to use his first name. The facility in which this account is placed has not been named as Adam has not given his permission for me to do so. Names of other people involved have not been used other than one man who is named as Simon. This name is used as it has now been proven to have been wrong and so will not reveal his actual identity."

*****

To this day, I have no idea if any legal actions were taken against him, but the owner took a two-month vacation abroad that same day. As for his murderous friend, I quickly learned that he was not medically trained and actually worked in finance. Through the active rumour mill, I learned that his name was Simon (not accurate) and that he was well known for ending the suffering of sick animals. Proof of this for many was a framed photograph on Simon’s desk which was said to be of a big cat he had overdosed shortly before the photograph being taken. The supposedly dead animal is said to have been laid on its belly with the head propped on the leg of Simon who is in the taking a knee position. The cat’s eyes are said to look slightly open and with the tip of the tongue protruding from the unsupported side of its mouth.

Personally, I never saw this man again during the 18 months that remained of my employment at the dolphinarium. By the time I left, only one member of the original staff remained from my joining the team: the female trainer, who was still racked with guilt, so dedicated every moment of her time to the dolphins. After this event she became cold and untrusting towards people, spending all her time with the dolphins and almost shunning all contact with human colleagues and visitors.

At the time I assumed it was me who had caused this change in personality, after all I had been charged with the dolphin’s care, and instead stood by while it was murdered before my eyes. My final day on the job was a quiet affair, which followed the usual routine other than a good luck card put into my hand and pat on the shoulder as I left.

Sahara King
31/8/2025 14:22:49

PART SEVEN
ADAM (REAL NAME) – THE UNNAMED HELLHOLE

"This has been written by me, Sahara King, in collaboration with Adam, who is happy for me to use his first name. The facility in which this account is placed has not been named as Adam has not given his permission for me to do so. Names of other people involved have not been used other than one man who is named as Simon. This name is used as it has now been proven to have been wrong and so will not reveal his actual identity."

*****

I left the dolphinarium to take a job in construction and, still young and naïve, accidents resulting in minor injuries became a regular part of life. Already thinking that this line of work was not right for me, I was convinced of that fact when I fell from a scaffold structure and badly broke my right leg. In the hospital for weeks, I was delighted when the doctors told me I was able to go home, but would need to attend regular physiotherapy sessions. The man working with me was tough but supportive and over time would become a lifelong friend.

It was on my third or fourth session that I saw her for the first time: the female trainer, with one arm strapped up across her chest. I didn’t have an opportunity to catch her eye that first visit, but the following week, I arrived early in the hope of seeing her again. As time ticked on, I realised she may have a different day or time booked this week, but was delighted when she walked into the waiting room and took a seat next to me. Nervous, I said hello and smiled, unsure if she was still angry with me.

“I thought you might not want to talk to me, but I’m glad I was wrong,” she said. I was shocked: why wouldn’t I want to talk to her? I admitted that I thought she was angry with me, and though I didn’t go into detail, I knew she understood why. She assured me that it was not me she was angry with and apologised for giving me that impression. After our sessions, we decided a hot sweet tea was needed for the inevitable conversation, so she kindly pushed my wheelchair to a local cafe where we could talk privately.

Tea in hand, she went on to explain that what took place that day had begun a downward spiral for her, which ended in her collapsing at work. The fall had taken place next to the tank and resulted in a fractured skull and arm. Being alone in the dolphinarium, she had not been discovered until the morning, and having no memories of the event, it was unclear how long she had lain unconscious. The result of this taking place was, for her, was a nervous breakdown, which was the excuse the owner needed to fire her.

The reason why she had been at the dolphinarium so late was to keep watch over another sickly dolphin, this time, a young calf who was only weeks old. The mother had recovered well, but her baby refused to feed regularly and showed little interest in the world around it. She told me of how she had been attempting to bottle feed the calf, but that the mother had not taken kindly to her interfering. The owner’s answer to this problem was not to contact a vet or experts for advice, but to allow the baby to starve to death. The night of her accident would be the last for the calf, whose body was already in the cold store when the ambulance arrived.

Over the next six months, we continued our cafe dates after our physiotherapy sessions. On our last, she informed me that her mental health was no better, so she had arranged to enter a facility the following week. With contact details exchanged, she promised to get in touch with me when she felt well enough to do so, but that call never came.

Reply
Sahara King
31/8/2025 14:27:48

PART EIGHT (FINAL)
ADAM (REAL NAME) – THE UNNAMED HELLHOLE

"This has been written by me, Sahara King, in collaboration with Adam, who is happy for me to use his first name. The facility in which this account is placed has not been named as Adam has not given his permission for me to do so. Names of other people involved have not been used other than one man who is named as Simon. This name is used as it has now been proven to have been wrong and so will not reveal his actual identity."

*****

It was in my office almost 30 years later that I was flicking through the local paper on my lunch break and saw that she had passed away. No family was mentioned, other than the sibling who had placed the funeral notice. The service was small with only a handful of attendees and no wake arranged for after. In the years since, I have often thought of what became of the others who worked at the dolphinarium but, more so, I have thought about the dolphins themselves.

Before its closure, the dolphinarium was one of many surrounded by speculation of abusing the dolphins and misleading the public, but nothing ever came of this. I never returned to the dolphinarium or any other in the country. I did agree to join my family in visiting another dolphinarium whilst abroad in recent years, but sitting on those plastic seats watching the dolphins follow orders was a step too far for me. I left, telling my family that I felt unwell.

When the performance finished, they found me outside crying into a paper napkin. That evening I explained why I suffered such an emotional reaction, which had taken even me by surprise.

I occasionally allow the memories of that time to come to the front of my mind. When that happens, I’m overtaken by the sounds the dolphin made as it died in agony, the cries of its companions and the devastation this death left behind. You see, as much as those dolphins suffered, it was the people who worked with them who carried the pain and guilt forward. The stress of seeing a death like that left a mark on all of us that we have never been able to escape.

It has taken all these years since to understand that the death of that dolphin was not my responsibility, but I am still partly to blame because I allowed those injections. One thing which confused me for years was the blood test: why take blood from a dolphin you are about to kill?

It has been suggested to me that this may have been done for insurance purposes. That an illness may have been detected which could explain away the death. That the blood could be used as proof that the owner intended to treat the dolphin, or even that the blood sample could be used in place of a post-mortem one to hide the drugs which had been injected. Whatever the reason, the outcome was as expected - no actions taken against the guilty and no justice for the victim.

Reply
David C Holroyd, aka David Capello link
1/9/2025 14:15:22

I can barely breathe reading your account, Adam. A tragic real-life testimony that bears an uncanny resemblance to mine … and I’m sure a great many other trainers and presenters. Yet more proof of the permanent scarring inflicted on hearts and minds by this vile industry. So many broken people, abused and callously discarded like the Atlantean charges they worked to protect. Truly heart-breaking for all concerned, and one that clearly haunts you to this very day.

However, as stated, you are not alone in your experiences when dealing with the aqua-circus. But before I try to pick the locks of your story, Adam, can I grasp this opportunity to reach out to the unnamed trainer who features in your story. A man who clearly loved his dolphin so much that he refused to leave its side. Not to mention, the vicious thumping he gave the perpetrator(s) for murdering his beloved Atlantean – a spontaneous action that makes me want to shake his hand.

So, unnamed trainer, if you are reading these whistle-blower accounts, please reach out. Join our collective in exposing this vile industry for what it truly is … an abomination.

Judging by your lengthy account, Adam, my use of the word ‘abomination’ cannot be overstated, proven by your description of the murder that you were forced to witness. A managerial assassination of a sick, no-longer-able-to-perform dolphin who had clearly outlived its usefulness. In other words, a non-profit-making asset who, due to its insurance value, was now worth more dead than alive. A deadly mix that in the 1970s UK dolphinarium would almost certainly spell the end of the stricken captive inmate.

I would also like to express my sincere condolences on the death of the woman trainer who fought so hard for her charges, when many would have walked away – a spirited fight for the welfare of her captive Atlanteans that eventually led to a nervous breakdown and the sack. Crippling ramifications that I recognise only too well. This woman was clearly very special.

As for your testimony, there is little I can say that you have not already said. Your brave account of the horrors you experienced has shone a light on what goes on behind closed doors. A crystallization of the corrupt and despicable practices that mar the global aqua-circus venues to this very day.

Thanks again for coming forward, Adam. I hope that the publication of your story gives you some respite from your terrible ordeals.

And, once again, a humongous thank you to Sahara King for the tireless work you have done in getting these incredible exposés to us – not just admirable, but awe-inspiring.

Sahara King
3/9/2025 11:49:27

PART ONE
THE DOLPHINARIUM MASK

"This is written by Sahara King in collaboration with Jenny (not real name) who does not wish to be identified for personal reasons which will be made clear."

*****

Young women were used for dolphin shows because they could be exploited openly and no one would bat an eyelid. I thought working with dolphins would be a magical experience that would make my peers envy my life, but it was anything but. Yes, my friends thought I was so lucky at first, but soon changed their minds when I told them what I had to endure.

The men I worked with were protective. Acting like older brothers, they would do all they could to distance the owner and managers from me. The owner and managers saw me as nothing more than meat to be slapped and pinched on the behind whenever I was in reach. Spoken to like my brain had been removed at birth with ‘darling’ or ‘sweetheart’ replacing my name, which they hadn’t bothered to remember.

The way they viewed women, though, was better than how they viewed the dolphins who made them rich. ‘Fish’ they always called them and ‘clever fish’ when the dolphin did something impressive. To this day, my blood boils when I hear someone call a cetacean a fish.

A sick or injured dolphin was usually something to get shot of quickly, and I remember two who were sold to other dolphinariums when the owners knew they were sick, but they didn’t tell the buyers. I think both died soon after being sent away.

One female, who was pregnant and who I knew as Flippa, was sold to another UK dolphinarium. The vet had been to do a check-up and found that the calf had no heartbeat, so the owner quickly got on the phone to advertise her for sale, saying they had no space for a baby. The people who bought her had her collected that same day, and when she gave birth to a dead calf, she quickly followed. This caused major problems between the two owners and, as far as I know, they never got over it, even refusing to take on people from the other place in case they were spying.

There was so much paranoia amongst the owners because they were all (in my experience) up to no good. Before this happened, I went with two dolphins for a summer show at another dolphinarium. The place was filthy behind the scenes, and they fed the dolphins mouldy fish. The ones they had living there seemed used to it, but my two weren’t and they refused to eat so had to go back after a few days. No one was interested in getting decent food for the dolphins who lived there though. The staff said it didn’t matter and that they would scavenge dead prey in the wild, so they were used to it. Even back then I knew this wasn’t true, but trying to teach those people anything was like pushing a boulder up a muddy hill in a rainstorm.

Reply
Sahara King
3/9/2025 11:56:39

PART TWO

THE DOLPHINARIUM MASK

"This is written by Sahara King in collaboration with Jenny (not real name) who does not wish to be identified for personal reasons which will be made clear."

*****

Every dolphin we had was called Flippa or Flipper so the public would have no idea which dolphin they were actually watching. Even WE called them by those names rather than the ones on their paperwork. This was encouraged by the owner and manager who said we shouldn’t have a relationship with them because dolphins only live a few years, and when they died it would be too upsetting if we cared about them. Now, I understand that they only lived a few years because they were in that environment and not cared for properly.

Dolphins were moved in and out of the dolphinarium all the time, so it was difficult to have a relationship with them. We could walk out on two dolphins, and the next day walk in on four completely different ones with no idea where the last two had gone. I don’t remember any of them coming back once they left. Few dolphins actually died in our dolphinarium as the owner would sell or move them as soon as they showed any signs of illness or pregnancy. A mother and baby weren’t valuable to him as he saw baby dolphins as costly and a hassle, but they were prized by other dolphinariums as a newborn would increase their visitors.

I never saw a live baby dolphin whilst working with them - only an aborted premature one from a newly captured female whose pregnancy hadn’t been detected. She was moved a few days later, probably sold as a healthy female with no record of what had happened. That sort of thing was common with newly captured adult females. Lots of people claim they had no idea that they were pregnant, but it’s obvious in late pregnancy by the shape of the female - and it happened so often it couldn’t be a mistake.

Why else would you take an adult dolphin when everyone wanted young ones?

The public never saw any of this and would be lied to all the time. People say that SeaWorld lie about the killer whales to the public all the time now, like it’s something new, but it’s always been done. I DID IT! I was told what to say and how to answer questions about the dolphins. We always used the same two names and, if more than two dolphins were in the dolphinarium, then we had to say they didn’t have names yet, or that we didn’t know because they had a different set of trainers.

It was stupid, and we made ourselves look stupid. I was one of the people who worked in the dolphinarium when it closed and, honestly, none of us were sad to see it go, but we would miss the dolphins.

The owner told me that the dolphins were going to SeaWorld. They were thought to be the best of the best at that time, so it was a comfort to me knowing they were going to be looked after properly.

They never went to SeaWorld; they stayed in the country, and I think one of them lived long enough to be sent to France or Spain a few years later.

The papers and records said that only a couple of dolphins were at the dolphinarium when it closed, but that’s not true. We had eight, and one of those was pregnant. I think one or two of them might have been owned by another dolphinarium and were with us for a short stay anyway, but we definitely had eight permanent dolphins. Three of those had the same name and ID number meaning that at least two of them where ‘ghost dolphins’, as we called them. They were basically illegal ones with no identity of their own, hidden in plain sight from the authorities who were now starting to show more of an interest in the people keeping dolphins. It was due to this that more and more owners were selling up or moving the dolphins they owned to other dolphinariums, especially ones outside the UK where tracing them was more difficult.

It was in the final days that one of the managers was alleged to have assaulted a female member of the team and was removed by the owner the next day. I have no idea what happened to him after this, but was told by the owner that if I ever spoke of anything which took place, I would face legal action. He also told me that he was a powerful man with fingers in many pies, so he could and would make my life very difficult if I was stupid enough to talk to anyone.

I believed him and still believe him. I understand that his children are just as unpleasant as him, so I choose not to be identified because of that family.

Reply
David C Holroyd, aka David Capello link
4/9/2025 14:27:23

Before posting your comment, Jenny, I spoke to a US-based marine mammal conservation director to ask, “Why have no US trainers, presenters or dolphinarium workers been willing to come forward with their stories?” Especially in view of the horrific claims of cetacean cruelty now emanating from Florida’s GULF WORLD MARINE PARK re The Dolphin Company’s treatment of their captive Atlanteans.

The director’s answer was simple: “FEAR!”

FEAR of physical attack. FEAR of corporate bullying. FEAR of having to look over their shoulders simply because they had the courage to speak out about what they had witnessed. A genuine concern that is seemingly shared by all who unwittingly found themselves trapped within the invisible walls of the gangster operations that run the global aqua-circus venues.

As for your revealing account, Jenny, I have a good idea of who you’re talking about, simply by reading your testimony.

Verbal or physical threats about what will happen if you open your mouth. Ghost dolphins, illegally transported into the UK, then systematically disposed of in covert sea dumps once they have served their purpose. Accusations that I believe point the finger at the Margate Dolphinarium and the notorious 1970s dolphin importer of that time.

So, Jenny, be at ease about NOT revealing the identities of both venue and owner, because those in the know understand all too well who you are talking about - names that will be passed to the press, should the press take the story and wish to give perpetrators the right of reply.

As for the rest of your testimony, what you reveal merely confirms what we already know about the horrors inflicted on captive Atlanteans in the early 1970s/1980s UK dolphinarium boom, begging the questions:

How did these reprobates get away with committing these horrors for so long?

Why didn’t the UK ceta charities call these abusers out?

And why did Klinowska and Brown, when compiling their government report, allow themselves to be manipulated by the same despicable people who inflicted the abuse in the first place? By this, I mean their acceptance of false testimony that allowed all involved the time to cover their tracks.

Disturbing yet relevant questions that to this very day no one seems to want to address. A sad state of affairs that appears to be replicated not only in Europe, but also in the USA.

To finish, Jenny, although many would wish to view your brave testimony as ‘historical’, the illegal dumping of dead dolphins is a learned trait … one that unscrupulous owners of coastal dolphinaria will continue to use in order to mask the true mortality rates of their ceta captives. In other words, this horrible method of getting rid of dead show dolphins WILL be happening TODAY!

Thank you for having the guts to come forward and tell your story, Jenny. And once again, a big thank you to Sahara King for her in-depth investigation.

Sahara King
10/9/2025 11:04:34

PART ONE

Bobby (Not real name) – RHYL DOLPHINARIUM

“The following statement has been written by Sahara King in collaboration with Bobby (Not real name) regarding an incident that took place at the Rhyl dolphinarium in either 1973 or 1974.”

*****

I never worked with the dolphins, I just knew a few lads who did, and they lived close by, so had keys to the place. After the last show ended and they had finished cleaning up, they would go to the nearby pub, where we would all meet up. At the weekend, come closing time, we would go to the dolphinarium to continue partying – drink, drugs and dolphins. The higher-ups knew we done this and didn’t seem to mind.

On this one night, one of the dolphins died while we were all still there. In the papers it said that he had swallowed a razorblade that had been dropped or thrown into the pool by one of us, but that’s not true. We might not have worked with them or owned them, but that don’t mean we didn’t have a connection with them dolphins, because we did. They liked us and would come over to see us as soon as we walked in. It was always the same regular crowd, and they got to know us really well. One of them was called Flipper, and I remember she wasn’t very friendly, but she loved the fish and chips I shared with her.

The dolphin who died wasn’t right when we got there. He was in the middle of the tank and wouldn’t come near us. That wasn’t like him. It took hours for him to move and, when he did, I could see blood in the water, so I called for help and got into the water - but my mate, who worked there, told me to leave him alone, so I got out. The blood was coming from his back end and, at some point, it was coming from his mouth as well. My mate told me he was dying and nothing could be done for him now, that we should leave him alone and let him die in peace and quiet. The next morning, one of the guys from a local band who was there found him dead at the bottom of the tank and woke everyone up. He was really upset about it. The razorblade story came out because someone who worked at the dolphinarium told him the dolphin ate one by mistake, but the truth I was told was that the dolphin had it forced down his throat.

*****

Sahara King: “During my research on this incident, I have been told the same story by another partygoer, who wishes to make no public comment, but does confirm this account.

“A news article has been found which states that the drummer of a local band found the dolphin known as Flipper dead in the pool, and that the cause of death was ingestion of a razor blade.

“It has also been speculated that at the time of this incident the two trusted vets who would usually attend to the dolphins were unavailable as they were both working overseas. This would mean an unknown vet would need to perform the necropsy and complete the necessary paperwork, and so there would need to be a valid explanation for such an object being found inside a dolphin. This is where the two stories of how the razor entered the water came from. Story one is that a wash bag was dropped, and the razor fell into the pool. Story two is that a drunk individual threw a razorblade into the pool.”

Reply
Sahara King
10/9/2025 11:16:27

PART TWO - RHYL DOLPHINARIUM

Anonymous - statement in support of Bobby - (Not real name) – RHYL DOLPHINARIUM

“The following statement has been written by Sahara King in collaboration with Anonymous regarding an incident that took place at the Rhyl dolphinarium in either 1973 or 1974.”

*****

I don’t want to be identifiable in any way, but I can confirm that Bobby’s story is true. I just want to add that the dolphin had blood coming from its backside and its mouth even when they (the dolphinarium staff) took it from the water and put in on the side. Blood was coming from its body and flowing across the floor and into the pool. Its eyes were wide open, and it looked like it was smiling with its mouth partly open as it was laid slightly on its side. It was like something from a horror movie, but they (the staff and manager) didn’t seem to care. It was like they knew it was going to die and, now it was done, they weren’t in the slightest bit bothered. I left and never went back, but I was told they had a lock-in at the dolphinarium that night, and a picture was taken of the dead dolphin with a bottle and lit fag hanging out its mouth.

*****

Sahara “This person is in real fear of their identity being made public due to other events which took place within the dolphinarium that night. They are still deeply affected by all events which took place that night, especially as many involved are still living in the same area and no actions were taken against them for alleged events which took place that night.

“A statement made by a former resident of the area stated that a friend of a former boyfriend spoke openly of at least two dolphins being ‘murdered’ at the Rhyl dolphinarium. They also believed that this practice took place in the associated dolphinarium located at Knowsley. According to this person, dolphins were killed using razor blades as they were a cheaper option than drugs.

“Another person who worked in the dolphinarium, but not directly with the dolphins, said it was common knowledge that those working within the setting that dolphins only lived a few years (untrue). It was also believed that they often suffered in their final days, so ending that suffering was an act of mercy, which assured inexperienced people that killing the dolphin was acceptable, but something which needed to be hidden from the public to protect them.

“Sadly, none of these people are willing to make their identity public as they all feel intimidated, and some have been personally threatened by a former member of staff. This person is still very active in promoting cetacean captivity as a positive aspect of our history and culture. As a result, they are very well known for aggressively harassing people when sharing information that they deem to be false or disagree with in anyway. This has left a number of people from across the former industry unwilling to place themselves in a position where they may become a target of this person.”

Reply
David C Holroyd, aka David Capello link
11/9/2025 11:17:27

PART ONE

I can barely believe what I am reading, Bobby, about the horrific deeds committed at Rhyl and Knowsley dolphinaria. Pre-meditated razorblade murders of their helpless Atlantean captives. Not to mention Rhyl’s late-night drug- and alcohol-fuelled binges – good-time romps which would never have been tolerated on my watch … no matter what the management deemed acceptable!

So, what went wrong? How could two of Entam’s premier show pools have degenerated into such dire and utter chaos? Questions I will attempt to answer before addressing your painfully revealing statement, Bobby.

For me, there is a sinister yet obvious denominator – the illustrious Terry Nutkins, the late BBC-animal-TV presenter and then general manager of Entam Leisure’s three show pools. Venues which were once revered until the appointment of this former London Dolphinarium trainee manager, a man who cared more about blowing his own trumpet and advancing his career than he did about the Entam Leisure dolphins he was charged to manage.

I say this because it was his ‘brainchild’ that eventually destroyed not only my beloved Perfect Pair, but also my own career. A destruction job that he inflicted on all those he viewed dangerous to his own journey up the corporate ladder. It was his policy of sacking everyone who knew more about cetacean care than he did that would eventually bring the downfall not only of Rhyl Dolphinarium, but also the show collapse of Entam’s premier pool at Knowsley Safari Park.

So, how did he do this?

He cleverly manipulated a money-fixated Ken Andrews, the director of Entam Leisure’s show pools. Swaying him into believing the ridiculous concept that, once a dolphin was trained, there was no longer a need for ‘overpaid’ trainers - a money-saving ploy that he knew the greedy Entam Leisure hierarchy would lap up. Once this was achieved, he then systematically demoted any remaining company trainers – including myself – to the position of presenter. A demotion that saw me standing alone without anyone I could trust to help me through the carnage he wrought.

Gary Marshall, my mentor – GONE!

Vincent Meehan, my friend and colleague – GONE!

Sue Shields, trainer – GONE!

Experienced people replaced by starstruck amateurs who viewed their work in a dolphinarium as merely a stepping stone to a more lucrative life in show business. After all, as Nutkins constantly reminded those who paid him homage: “Anyone with a whistle and a fish-bucket can train a dolphin.” An envious statement from a man who NEVER did!

And so, back to your revelations, Bobby, which – for me and Vincent Meehan – have caused a great deal of distress.

Judging from your brave testimony, I would say that you were most probably a fairground worker from the Rhyl amusement park, Ocean Beach – a facility situated about 100 yards from the Dixieland Showbar, adjoining the dolphinarium. I assume this because of the number of times I was forced to reach out to the park’s workers for help. A distressing time for me due to the constant Duchess-and-Herb’e force-feeds I found myself having to endure. A practice that left me mentally and physically wrecked. Blurry 15-16-hour days and nights, fretting about my charges in a cold dark dolphinarium … and short of money. The latter a situation spitefully visited on me by Terry Nutkins, angry at the collapse of the Knowsley show and bitter at Entam’s decision not to fire me for physically attacking him.

A truly horrible, horrible time!

Apologies for deviating from your testimony, Bobby, which I will address in the second part of my reply.

David C Holroyd, aka David Capello link
14/9/2025 12:08:17

PART TWO

After receiving these horrendous testimonies obtained by Sahara King, I feel I have to ask a question, a question that makes me want to scream:

Was I (David Capello) the reason for the murders of these innocent dolphins?

Was my success in training the company’s two top dolphin teams, along with the inability of my replacements to work my dolphins, the main reason for my Atlanteans’ consignment to the dead pool?

It is well known that I embraced the telepathic mind-training technique known as the “connection”, a unique training method that bonded two of Entam’s most successful dolphin teams solely to me. A fact that fostered a great deal of resentment and jealousy within Entam Leisure’s hierarchy. An insanity that, after my leaving, virtually brought down two of the company’s dolphinaria. So, with this in mind, I give you the facts.

All razorblade murders happened within a few short months of my walking out of Entam Leisure’s employ following the death of my beloved Herb’e – for which I will always blame Terry Nutkins and his senseless vendetta.

Blodwyn, aka Big Mama, Flippa Eccles and Twinkle – dead, two reportedly with razorblades found in their guts at Rhyl Dolphinarium. (Note: the only razorblade death in the Klinowska & Brown report was attributed to Knowsley – that is despite the newspaper article which Sahara King and Bobby both mention in their comments.) So, why were the two dolphins murdered at Rhyl dolphinarium ghosted? Two more razorblade deaths NOT mentioned in the Klinowska & Brown report. TWO MORE RAZORBLADE DEATHS COVERED UP!

My little blind prizefighter, Scouse, a dolphin who was wholly dependent on the connection mind-training technique, died at Knowsley Safari Park with a razorblade found in his gut. A murder that the Klinowska & Brown report attributes to another dolphin … NOT SCOUSE. Begging the question:

WHO FED THIS LIE TO THE KLINOWSKA AND BROWN RESEARCHERS?

Was it to place the razorblade murderer(s) as far away as possible from the crime scene?

I wonder, how many other dolphins were murdered using the horrific method of force-feeding herring loaded with a razorblade? And why did the vets who performed the autopsies NOT record this?

Last but not least, why was Herb’e – one half of my Perfect Pair – purposely wiped from UK dolphinaria history? Did those feeding the Klinowska and Brown report fear my story to such an extent as to authorise a five-decade-old cover-up?

Sadly, questions that will probably NEVER be answered.

And so back to your distressing testimony, Bobby. Apologies once again for digressing.

You graphically describe the dead dolphin’s smile – or should I say GRIN? A facial distortion that is still seared into my ageing psyche. I first saw it with Bubbles, then Stumpy and, lastly, my bundle of mischief, Herb’e – a nightmarish expression that once seen is never forgotten.

As for the drummer from the band who played at The Dixieland Showbar, I can vividly see his face – a sensitive young man who would have been extremely upset by discovering a dead dolphin.

And so to finish: the more I read your comment, Bobby, the more I want to bury my head in my hands. Saying that, no matter how unpalatable I find your testimony, I thank you for having the guts to make it public. I also thank the anonymous person who backed up your statement.

As for the Rhyl management, I blame the horrific deaths of these dolphins purely down to management’s utterly unprofessional and lackadaisical behaviour in allowing God-knows-who into what should have been a secure facility. An uncaring stance that allowed a razorblade assassin to operate with total impunity.

Someone out there KNOWS who did this. If not already dead, the perpetrator(s) are probably already following this blog … and trembling.

And so they should …

‘NUFF SAID!

Vincent Meehan
10/9/2025 13:37:08

Thank you, 'Bobby', for your statement. Although I am incadescent right now I am glad you have come forward to expose these outrages.

That the dolphinarium was considered to be 'party central' after hours surprises me not. In my time at Rhyl, I never had access after hours as I never had custody of the keys. I was told by the female presenter when I started that the manager, Ian Brown, did not want anybody else to hold keys and that she had them and would keep them. I couldn't be bothered arguing so left that as it was, which was fortunate as you shall read later.

Rhyl dolphinarium was situated on the promenade next to the Entam Leisure music venue and across the street from the Rhyl fairground, again, managed by Entam Leisure. I found out by accident that the female presenter, 'G', would invite members of the showband appearing at the music venue back to the dolphinarium late at night where they were encouraged to feed the dolphins. This included to new residents, Sinbad and Twinkle, who were to be trained by me to perform various basic tricks. They were the fattest, laziest pair of dolphins you could wish to encounter and when I found out what had been happening everything suddenly made sense. They wouldn't perform because they weren't hungry! None of these midnight feeds made it into the logbooks so nobody was any the wiser.

A couple of weeks prior to my departure, I arrived at the dolphinarium to find the manager and assistant manager already there along with 'G'. It seems somebody had made off with the diving equipment; wet suif, SCUBA gear, fins, masks, the lot! Yet, thete was no sign of a forced entry. Very odd.

Whilst all staff denied involvement in the theft, I found it quite coincidental that G's ex-husband, W, with whom she was still very friendly and who visited the premises regilarly, was a hobby diver. And if for no other reason, because of this theft I was very happy not to have been a keyholder. There was only one person who had access.

Due to the close proximity to the fairground, we had, on occasion, a need for assistance and a couple of fairground hands would be allicated for however long it took to complete whatever task needed doing. One of those sent over on a more or less permanent basis was 'R', who was allocated cleaning duties.

A nice enough young chap, but what he brought with him was not so pleasant. Within a very short space of time of his arrival, we, the rest of the staff, developed scabies.

Scabies is a contagious human skin infestation by the tiny (0.2–0.45 mm) mite Sarcoptes scabiei, variety hominis. The word is from Latin: scabere, lit. 'to scratch', and boy, did we scratch! I only got rid of the infestation once I'd left. No idea how the others went on.

As you can see, even though there were people at Rhyl dolphinarium who cared for their charges, this attitude was not universal and so I am not the least bit surprised at the shenanigans that went on after David and I were no longer part of that set up. Individuals concerned need to be named and shamed. I haven't, but the initials are correct and if they read this they will know who they are and so will David.

Damn them to hell and back for their callous indifference to the suffering of those dolphins.

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David C Holroyd, aka David Capello link
14/9/2025 12:24:39

Thank you again for commenting, Vince. I had a strong feeling that you were still following these horrific testimonies, especially Rhyl Dolphinarium. A place that seemed to have sunk to an even lower depth than I would have thought humanly possible.

I remember vividly when Tracy and I were writing the second book in The Perfect Pair Dolphin Trilogy (The Mirror Cracks) how I angrily referred to Rhyl Dolphinarium as a ‘shithole’, a description that, after reading these whistle-blower testimonies, could not be any truer.

Many activists feel badly towards former dolphinaria workers. They often view us as the ‘big bad wolves’ who should have known better - who should have walked out. BUT LOOK WHAT HAPPENED WHEN WE DID!

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sahara king
3/10/2025 21:18:27

Apologies for my late reply to your fantastic comments. From what you have said within this i can offer you a little more information which may help clear a few things up. First the late night feeds. According to two people i have spoken with the dolphins where fed 'human food' including and not limited to, alcohol. fish and chips, bread, pickled onions, chocolate, cotton candy and "bar snacks". One person also admits to drugs and cigarettes being smoked in close proximity and at least one attempt of blowing smoke into the blowhole of one individual. It now makes perfect sense to me as to why several of the dolphins where described as over weight and unwilling to perform. Apart from being massively over fed they where consuming a vast selected of completely unnatural foods, this must have had a serious negative impact on their health. This also leads me to question the information recorded after death. Such poor nutrition must have shown physically within the dolphins bodies and so why where these details not recorded during necropsy? Is this yet another aspect of details and facts being covered up by so called professionals to protect those involved within the industry? Its difficult to think of any other reason why such uncommon details would be ignored and not considered a factor in the individuals death. Maybe im missing something and there is some other reasoning for it?

Items and money went missing from the facility on a regular basis according to some i have spoken with and they are also sure it is part of the reason why the place was closed. I have been told that dive equipment was stolen and then a short time after being replaced that equipment was also stolen (at least parts of it where). The funds for these replacements is said to have come from the big bosses and they questioned as to why this was needed so quickly. One account suggests that the manager (possibly) attempted to cover up the second theft by claiming the replacement equipment was faulty, but when asked to produce it to be tested they where forced to admit it was actually missing and not broken. It would also seem that personal items of people attending the late night parties would also have personal items go missing by the morning. No names where mentioned to be for any of these matters as the people i have spoken with are to scared to come forward or to name anyone who may be able to the linked to them personally.
Theft seems to be a common feature in many of the former UK dolphinariums, one person even claims that fish was stolen by a member of staff for them to consume themselves.
I think it is fantastic and testament to this amazing blog that we have been able to come together and share information to make the facts clearer for one another. I think you for helping me with this information and for being brave enough to share your experiences.
With many thanks and great respect, Sahara.

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David C Holroyd, aka David Capello link
6/10/2025 10:45:38

No apologies needed, Sahara. Tracy and I cannot put a price on what you and your whistle-blower informants have publicly exposed, especially when it comes to the Rhyl and Knowsley Safari Park dolphinaria, which were both Entam Leisure venues – two show pools that fell under the overall jurisdiction of Entam Leisure’s then general manager, the late BBC TV animal show presenter, Terry Nutkins. (‘Nuff said!)

What you describe, Sahara, especially about Rhyl Dolphinarium fills me with even more utter disgust and anger. Further revelations of the constant booze and drug parties attended by God-knows-who; crazy binges where substance-impaired morons were allowed to feed the dolphins an array of nasties, ie pickled onions, bread, chocolate, cotton candy and fish and chips. Brain-dead actions that you couldn’t make up if you tried … all seemingly permitted (and probably committed) by Rhyl’s so-called managers.

As for the valuables of the “party-guests” going missing along with two lots of expensive diving gear, I have not an ounce of sympathy for either the revellers or the Rhyl management, who, to my mind, got everything they deserved.

However, my concern was always and will always be for those neglected Atlanteans that found themselves captive in Rhyl’s hellhole dolphinarium.

Also deeply troubling is that the cause of dolphin deaths at Rhyl were not flagged up during the veterinary autopsies. By this, I mean no mention of razorblade gut slashing murders or anything else of substance, begging the question, as you so rightly highlighted, Sahara, were these horrors purposely covered up by the vets involved?

Not much more to say, except everyone involved in what happened at Rhyl and Knowsley dolphinaria should feel utterly ashamed of themselves!

Sahara King
15/9/2025 15:23:27

Flipper has been a standard stage name for dolphins since cetacean captivity’s beginnings to the present day. Because of this, a huge number of dolphins have been given the Flipper name making records extremely complicated. During my research of UK dolphins, I have found no less than 14 individuals with the name Flipper and have been forced to attach a number to each one to avoid more confusion.

The Flipper I shall be telling you about is listed as Flipper 2 within my records and is thought to have been around 5 years old when he was captured in 1971. The only remaining records from this capture were its location being somewhere within the Gulf of Mexico, with no company taking responsibility for the dolphins taken.

It is thought that Flipper 2 was flown to the UK, alongside others taken from the same location, as part of a small shipment which was intended for Margate Dolphinarium, but this is not confirmed. It was the following year – presumably when Flipper had adjusted to captivity and was performance-trained - that he was sent on tour. Confirmed locations for Flipper were firstly the Heath Town Baths, before returning to Margate for the Christmas season over late 1972 into 1973.

Flipper 2 is next recorded as being sent to Rhyl Dolphinarium after the end of this winter season to work as a stand-in for a recently deceased dolphin. Flipper remained at the dolphinarium until his death which took place in either 1974 or 1975. Unfortunately, because of his name and others being given the same name to perform under, it is difficult to confirm for sure which animal died on which date. Between 1974 and 1975 at least three Flippers are recorded as having died at Rhyl Dolphinarium.

Flipper 2 is different, though, not just because his cause of death was recorded, but because notes were made and news articles reported on it. Flipper 2’s cause of death is recorded as foreign-object ingestion, with notes naming that object as a razorblade. In a local news article from the time, it is suggested that an after-hours party was taking place when a razorblade was thrown into the pool by a drunken partygoer acting irresponsibly. Another article stated that a man’s washbag was thrown or dropped to the floor where it promptly spilled its contents into the pool, with Flipper picking up the only dangerous object.

This was the first time I had ever heard of such a thing taking place. I found the news articles long before communicating with a former team member of Rhyl Dolphinarium who confirmed that the incident was true, but the motives behind it were never going to be accurately reported. According to two independent sources, Flipper 2 was killed when a single razorblade was forced down his throat.

Flipper’s death was no accident, and neither was the death of an older male dolphin at the same dolphinarium. Why razorblades were ever considered to be an acceptable means of taking the life of a dolphin I will never understand. To be frank and unfeeling, there would be far more effective and less involved ways in which to murder a dolphin. Sadly, I have accounts of this being the case.

Stuffing dead fish with razorblades would cause the victims excruciating pain, and this is something I have thought deeply about. The hapless dolphins would have no idea when eating the fish what horror awaited them. It would be when the fish were digested, and the blades freed that the catastrophic damage would begin. Regurgitation would cause massive internal damage, which I assume would only speed up the process of internal bleeding. In my opinion, it seems safe to assume that the dolphins would ultimately die from internal bleeding, and that those final hours or even days would be spent in sheer agony.

I can’t help thinking: who could do such a thing to another living creature? To not only force such an horrific fate on the dolphin by deliberately placing such objects inside it, but then to callously stand back and watch the pain and suffering they have inflicted?

What has gone so terribly wrong in that person’s life that they become capable of forcing a blade into the throat of a living animal, then days later nonchalantly mop up the blood from that same animal whilst others in the pool watch on?

I guess I hope never to understand, because I would never want to fall to the same level as the ‘human’ who was capable of such depravity.

Sadly, it was the same fate for another dolphin named Scouse, who was blind. However, his blades were stuffed inside a fish during a standard feeding session.

Rumour has it that another dolphin was force-fed a razor blade, but where and when this took place cannot be confirmed at this time.

If and when more information on this comes to light, please rest assured it will be shared.

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David C Holroyd, aka David Capello link
17/9/2025 13:44:58

It seems that, yet again, I find myself in debt to Sahara King for her sterling work in exposing the past horrors of the UK captive-ceta industry, much of which even I was unaware.

Illegal dolphin imports.

The covert dumping of dead show dolphins at sea.

The blatant cover-up of razorblade murders.

Not to mention, the total manipulation of the Klinowska and Brown researchers by the perpetrators who worked within the industry. An age-old deception that at last tells both me and my sister, Tracy J Holroyd, the REAL reason why so many have tried to discredit and block The Perfect Pair Dolphin Trilogy expose. A devious act by those who profit from cetacean exploitation. A collective fear of not only what we exposed, but what others might expose in our wake – the pointing of the finger at the guilty who STILL hide within the fog of history.

So, thank you, brave whistle-blowers, for it is YOUR horrific testimonies that will hopefully blow this vile industry apart.

So, PLEASE, former dolphinarium workers, keep your stories coming in, because without YOUR input, we stand little chance of cutting through the lies and propaganda of the global aqua-circus.

Now to address your ‘Flipper 2’ expose, Sahara.

The promotion of the name Flipper had two purposes:

1 To fill the seats of UK dolphinaria with misguided parents and excited kids. The perfect arena to see their dolphin superstar performing his/her tricks in the flesh. A perspective fuelled by the 1964-67 US TV show, Flipper.

2 The second reason, however, was much more sinister. The captive industry used the Flipper name to mask the true mortality rate of its captives. The same ploy the industry uses to this very day.

You also write that, due to the vast amount of Flippers/Flippas, you had to resort to numbering these dolphins for investigation purposes. A near-impossible task considering how the dolphin companies exploited the Flipper name. A ploy that it appears Entam Leisure and others took full advantage of.

You also state that little is known about Entam Leisure’s first Flippa death at the Rhyl Dolphinarium. This is despite a company vet being present at the time. That neglect still fills me with anger to this very day. I say this because I considered Herb’e, aka Flippa, the driving force of the superstar team known as The Perfect Pair.

So, I ask again, why did the Klinowska and Brown report deliberately ghost my Herb’e? A question that becomes more relevant with each act of skulduggery now being exposed in the comments section of this blog.

Sahara, here is the information you need about MY Flippa – facts that cannot be questioned by Trusthouse Forte loyalists, the vets they employed or the failed trainers they chose to take on.

Herb’e, aka Flippa, died at 2.30am on 14th August 1974 at Rhyl Dolphinarium – a beloved Atlantean that, to my mind, was the greatest Flippa dolphin of them all.

You also mentioned not knowing the name of the company/individual who caught and transported these doomed Atlanteans into the UK. Herb’e and Flipper 2 will both have had their freedom stolen in the Florida Keys. The man responsible was Jerry D Mitchell – a person who had many dealings with Entam Leisure and the well-known UK dolphin importer, Reg Bloom. In fact, it is fair to say that Jerry D Mitchell was one of the leading US catchers and transporters of his time, importing many dolphins into the UK. You can learn more about him from this link:

https://www.animallaw.info/case/united-states-v-mitchell

To finish, Sahara, YOU more than any other have been the one to expose these horrific razorblade murders. Horrendous acts of a twisted Entam-Leisure assassin who appeared to operate with impunity. A sad excuse for a human being who, in my book, deserves no sympathy … only the WORST kind of karma!

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Sahara King
17/9/2025 14:09:43

MOLLY (Not real name) MARGATE DOLPHINARIUM

My name is Molly, and I spent a few weeks at Margate Dolphinarium for work experience in 1973. I spent time cleaning equipment and helping to sort out the food and medication for the dolphins. It was my last day, and one of the dolphins was unwell. She hadn’t eaten for a few days, and one of the girls told me they were going to have to start force feeding her the next day if she didn’t take food willingly. Young and naïve, I asked stupid questions about how this would be done and what would happen if she didn’t eat. I remember to this day the girl telling me: “If she dies, she’ll wash up on the beach in a few days.”

I hadn’t a clue what she meant until years later when I spoke with a former employee of the dolphinarium. We met at a mutual friend’s dinner party, and my dolphin-tail neckless broke the ice between us. After half a bottle of wine, I was brave enough to mention this situation and, to my utter horror, this flippant comment was confirmed as truth. She told me that the dead dolphins would be dumped into the ocean and, if they washed up, they would just be written off as wild ones. Apparently, this rumour was common knowledge in the area and, after being reported to the environmental agency and council, it’s partly the reason why the place closed down.

*****

Sahara King: “Molly is not the first person who has told me of this horrific behaviour surrounding dead dolphins in this facility. No official documentation has currently been found to confirm that this was ever reported to the local or surrounding councils, or to any other governing body.

“It was during the first Covid-19 lockdown that I was first told of this practice, that dead show dolphins would simply be dumped at sea. With little else to do during that time, I occupied myself with investigating this and several other disposal practices people were claiming as regularly taking place in dolphinariums around the UK. Luckily enough, several people were happy to talk with me about what they had witnessed, though none wished to be identified publicly for a number of reasons.

“The first person I spoke with on this subject had posted a public comment stating this dumping practice as fact on a social media post related to UK dolphinariums. Although they did not name the location, they spoke of how the body of the dolphin would be loaded onto the back of an off-road-type vehicle or into a trailer where it would be kept hidden while driven to a local cave or cliff edge. This is where the dolphin would be dumped.

“Another, who did name Margate Dolphinarium, spoke of seeing a former senior member of staff kicking a dolphin’s body over the edge of a cliff. They told of the horror they felt seeing it roll down onto the rocks and sand below; that the final impact split the body and internals spilled out, only to be washed away by the incoming tide.

“Another account comes from a man who said that, during the 1970s, he worked nights and so would walk his dogs in the early hours to tire them out so he could sleep. He said how he often walked along the coastal and cliff paths, where he several times caught dolphinarium staff disposing of dead show dolphins on the beach.”

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David and Tracy Holroyd link
18/9/2025 14:47:39

Thank you for commenting, Molly. It appears that, once again, the dark spectre of the Margate Dolphinarium has reared its ugly head in your whistle-blower testimony. So before we address your revelations, let’s get to the facts about this house of horrors.

According to online sources, the Margate Dolphinarium was owned by Louis Holloway and Keith Franklin – a venue, along with Knowsley and Rhyl, that is getting the lion’s share of bad press.

The dumping of dead show dolphins in hidden caves.

The rolling of dead show dolphins off a cliff edge to splatter their guts on the rocks below.

Horrific statements that beggar belief. Incredibly, covert practices that were quite literally the talk of the town, which begs the question: how on earth did the Margate venue get away with this barbaric disposal of its dead show dolphins for so long? Yet another question I doubt anyone is willing to answer due to the fear generated by those who profited from this sad excuse of a dolphinarium.

Never in a million years could Tracy and I have believed the horrors that would be revealed when we started this whistle-blower campaign. Never could we have dreamt of just how vile and corrupt the UK captive industry truly was. All we can say is, “Thank God that these hellholes are no longer in the UK … hopefully gone forever.”

We say "hopefully" because, as incredible as it may seem, dolphinaria are not banned in the UK, meaning, if a company with a pot-load of money happened by, dolphinaria could once more grab a foothold on our shores … because money talks!

So, all you animal-loving Brits out there who have taken the time to read these testimonies, activate your conscience. When holidaying abroad, DO NOT BUY a ticket to a dolphin show. This isn’t kids’ stuff; it’s corporate abuse and murder – and IT’S HAPPENING TODAY!

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sahara king
4/10/2025 19:56:30

Some new but as yet unconfirmed (and probably never will be) information has come to light recently regarding the RSPCA investigation into cetaceans being moved around the UK for temporary shows within public swimming pools. Unfortunately i don't have the exact dates as yet but i am working on this and so will update when able. Two dolphins where taken for a 3 week show and one died at the location with the second passing away in the back of a transit van whilst being driven back to the Margate dolphinarium. After this event a former member of staff reported the deaths as they where shocked to find that both bodies where returned to the facility and dumped into the sea. The identity of these two legal animals was then given to two illegally obtained dolphins who went on to perform in their place. The RSPCA began an investigation which was made public and was reported on by several local news organisations. This investigation recommended that dolphins be moved less often and be kept in better suited conditions which are designed for them and not a converted swimming pool. By this time the practice was winding down apparently and so it was seen by many as to little to late. According to one person who made a public comment on social media this investigation made no real impact as a wealthy dolphin owner made a large contribution to the RSPCA for them to focus on other areas of animal welfare. As yet i have not been able to make contact with this person but will keep trying to do so. When talking to another person who worked within the industry from the early 1980's until its end in the UK in 1994 i was told they where not shocked by this comment, in fact they have herd rumors of several charity and animal right groups being paid off and even one being given a large amount of land in order for investigations to come to end with a neutral or positive outcome. This person also goes on to claim that professionals from all involved areas would be offered such incentives and that few passed up the opportunity in their experience. With the passing of time and limited evidence it is unlikely these people will face legal consequences for such actions now but it is so important to the overall knowledge of that time and most importantly to the individual dolphins stories that this information is known. We honor and remember the lives of these wonderful dolphins who made such an impact on our own stories by sharing every detail we can about theirs. I thank those who have helped me on this journey from the bottom of my heart and thank you reader for showing the time and love to these dolphins which they so richly deserve.

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David C Holroyd aka David Capello link
8/10/2025 11:12:58

The more skulduggery you uncover, Sahara, the more I realise just how oblivious and blindsided I was by this vile industry. So totally wrapped up in promoting my Perfect Pair that I couldn’t – or wouldn’t – see what was happening before my very eyes. A rose-tinted denial that I’m sure inflicts a great many caring ceta trainers to this very day.

As for your revelations regarding the animal welfare charities, nothing you have exposed surprises me. To my mind, the vast majority of these so-called caring orgs have utterly lost their way, becoming every bit as corrupt as the industries they are fighting. Because, as we all know, MONEY RULES!

I can’t comment further on your comment until the names of the other charities are revealed. But, make no mistake, Sahara, if I am given the names of these orgs and the names of the trainers accused of gross mistreatment of their Atlantean charges, I WILL MAKE THEM PUBLIC.

To finish, it seems yet again that the now-defunct Margate Dolphinarium venue has been singled out for its foul practices. Acts of barbarity that the vast majority of the Margate population appeared to know about, which sadly says an awful lot of how the public views its ‘entertainment’ needs.

Thanks again for commenting, Sahara. I look forward to reading more of your revelations.

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Tracy J Holroyd link
12/11/2025 11:23:57

This is a text copy of Emmeline Saunders’ Mirror Online exclusive interview with David C Holroyd, aka David Capello, posted 30th May 2025:

EXCLUSIVE: UK'S SECRET DOLPHIN POOL OF HORRORS - BREAKDOWNS, BLINDNESS AND FORCE-FEEDING ANIMALS WHO LONGED TO DIE

PART ONE

David Holroyd is a former top dolphin trainer-turned-whistleblower - who says as long as the unwitting public keep paying to see dolphins in captivity, the more animals will die painful deaths.

If you're going on holiday this summer to Europe, Japan or the USA, chances are you'll see signs to theme parks containing captive dolphins that have been trained to perform tricks for crowds.

Some may even offer 'swim with dolphins' experiences for an extra fee, allowing a small number of people to get into the pool with the dolphins to be towed by their dorsal fin, hug them and play with them.

But the former top dolphin trainer in the UK, who walked away from the industry after witnessing some of its horrors, has begged holidaymakers not to give a penny to these "hellholes" - because of the death, violence and illegal practices he's claimed to have seen first-hand.

David Holroyd, now 72, was best known by his stage name David Capello when he worked with dolphins as a young man in the 1970s.

He was forced to leave his beloved animals behind when he suffered a mental breakdown after witnessing brutal scenes of cruelty towards the dolphins - a decision that has haunted him for the rest of his life. Now an author and campaigner, David wants to lift the lid on the conditions of places like Gulf World in Florida and Marineland Antibes in southern France are really like for the intelligent mammals kept imprisoned in too-small tanks.

Gulf World Marine Park in Panama Beach City has been criticised for a litany of faults and, on May 28, lost its fifth dolphin within the last year. While reports are still unconfirmed, the latest death is rumoured to be that of Soleil, a nine-year-old female bottlenose dolphin. The park's Mexico-based parent company, The Dolphin Company, has not responded to The Mirror's request for comment.

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Tracy J Holroyd link
12/11/2025 11:29:25

This is a text copy of Emmeline Saunders’ Mirror Online exclusive interview with David C Holroyd, aka David Capello, posted 30th May 2025:

EXCLUSIVE: UK'S SECRET DOLPHIN POOL OF HORRORS - BREAKDOWNS, BLINDNESS AND FORCE-FEEDING ANIMALS WHO LONGED TO DIE

PART TWO

Britain experienced a dolphin craze in the 1970s, with many animals imported from America to entertain crowds at dolphinaria like Windsor Safari Park, Blackpool Dolphinarium and Brighton Aquarium, all of which have since closed down.

It was at the start of the decade that David, then aged 17, answered a newspaper advert calling for a "young person to present dolphins". Out of 350 applicants, he was picked - and was quickly sent to a secret training pool in the small Yorkshire mining village of South Elmsall, which had been converted from a swimming pool to hold wild dolphins.

Most of the animals would have come from the 'Killing Cove', Japan's Taiji, where each year hunters would drive hundreds of dolphins towards the shore and pen them in, slaughtering most for meat and capturing the young ones who had not yet left their pod to sell on to dolphinaria around the world. The horrors of Taiji have been widely reported, including in the 2009 documentary The Cove.

Many of the dolphins would arrive at South Elmsall traumatised and terrified, having been ripped from their social structures and crammed into tiny crates to be shipped to the UK. Some would refuse to eat - so David and his fellow trainers would have to force-feed them dead fish.

"We had a dolphin called Bubbles come in from the US, and when I checked her over it was like looking in a coffin," David recalls. "She was void. She was so bad. I asked the handler who brought her, 'Why did you bring this dolphin?' He said, 'Because she looks good.'"

Bubbles had refused to eat throughout her long journey from Florida to the UK because she had gone into shock when she was caught. "She was in shock for the rest of her short and miserable life," says David. "And that dolphin never took a fish willingly. I force-fed her three times a day."

The horrific procedure would mean catching the dolphin manually in the pool, tying gags to her upper and lower jaws to wrench open her mouth, and extra handlers pinning her down so that someone could push fish down her throat, "five at a time". "She was trying to starve herself to death," says David sadly.

Bubbles failed to thrive in the UK, and suffered mentally from the treatment she'd endured since being captured. David's mentor warned him that Bubbles had been put on suicide watch because she'd started behaving erratically in her holding pen.

"Normally she just swam round and round and round, but one day I walked in and she suddenly started to speed up. I thought she was going to ram the wall, so I jumped in to the pool and grabbed her. She did hit the wall, but I'd taken the sting out because I'd got to her first. And I said to my friends, my colleagues, 'I did the right thing. I saved her.' And the look on their faces told me that I hadn't done the right thing at all," he remembers.

"I should have let her kill herself because she was in so much torment."

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Tracy J Holroyd link
12/11/2025 11:35:28

This is a text copy of Emmeline Saunders’ Mirror Online exclusive interview with David C Holroyd, aka David Capello, posted 30th May 2025:

EXCLUSIVE: UK'S SECRET DOLPHIN POOL OF HORRORS - BREAKDOWNS, BLINDNESS AND FORCE-FEEDING ANIMALS WHO LONGED TO DIE

PART FOUR

Another dolphin called Scouse was packed into the same cargo hold as Bubbles and suffered horribly when he was unloaded in the UK. "The handler tried to reach Scouse, who was laying in a sling inside his transport. Scouse started to thrash around and fight, and then his sling tore and took out both of his eyes. He was instantly blinded," says David.

While animal welfare legislation has been tightened in the UK since David's time, dolphins kept in captivity in other countries still face brutal and cruel mistreatment.

One now-closed theme park in a country visited by millions of British tourists removed all the teeth from a dolphin who had nipped a child during a swimming with dolphins session, in a case that is still going through the courts.

"Of course, the dolphin continually got infection after infection because it was kept in rotten water," says David. "And it died. This happened less than two years ago."

In any theme park that features captive dolphins, the water will be treated with chlorine to kill off bacteria. But the very act of bleaching the water causes untold damage to the animals - and one giveaway sign of poor health is the colour of their skin.

"In captivity they're almost silver, they look gorgeous," says David. "But that's not their true colour. In the wild they're slate-grey to almost black. That beautiful colouring is due to chlorine bleaching, it bleaches the skin. So if it's doing that on the outside, what do you think it's doing on the inside? It's poison. As soon as they're brought into captivity, it's poison."

Tracy J Holroyd link
12/11/2025 11:39:43

This is a text copy of Emmeline Saunders’ Mirror Online exclusive interview with David C Holroyd, aka David Capello, posted 30th May 2025:

EXCLUSIVE: UK'S SECRET DOLPHIN POOL OF HORRORS - BREAKDOWNS, BLINDNESS AND FORCE-FEEDING ANIMALS WHO LONGED TO DIE

PART FIVE

Because most marine parks have tanks that are too small for their captive dolphins - who in the wild can swim up to 100 miles a day - more chlorine is dumped in their pools to keep the water germ-free.

"The higher the chlorine levels, the more it starts to burn," says David. "You can only do that for so long before your dolphins won't perform and will start vomiting. You'll start to see their skin peeling. And once the chlorine dies, the water becomes a toxic mix of spent chlorine, faeces and urine."

The only way to save the dolphins at that point is to drain the pool entirely and fill it with clean, fresh water - but as that is expensive, David claims management teams are loathe to let it happen.

"I was constantly fighting the management about water," he says. "I used to sneak in at midnight with a friend, move my dolphins to a holding pen and drain their tank. The problem was you could never re-fill a pool quick enough. So when the managers all came in the next morning, they only had half a pool. I was threatened so many times with the sack. But I wouldn't leave my charges in filth-ridden cesspools."

But it was David's skill with the dolphins that kept him in a job, he believes. The very first animals he trained, Duchess and Herb'e, became known as the Perfect Pair, because they could move in perfect harmony - even performing a complex somersault routine dubbed the Shadow Ballet at their home in Knowsley Safari Park - which at that time was managed by the BBC naturist Terry Nutkins.

Reply
Tracy J Holroyd link
12/11/2025 16:08:56

This is a text copy of Emmeline Saunders’ Mirror Online exclusive interview with David C Holroyd, aka David Capello, posted 30th May 2025:

EXCLUSIVE: UK'S SECRET DOLPHIN POOL OF HORRORS - BREAKDOWNS, BLINDNESS AND FORCE-FEEDING ANIMALS WHO LONGED TO DIE

PART SIX

"They were phenomenal," says David. "And yet you won't find them in the history books because every one of my dolphins died within six months after I walked."

It was, claims David, company policy to destroy the records of any captive dolphin after their death at that time in the UK, which he alleges was to cover up the high rate of casualties. "In my day, a commercial dolphin's lifespan was three to four years. In the wild, they can live 50, 60, even up to 70 years. But in captivity they had the stress of the transports, chlorinated water and so on."

On his last day in the job, David witnessed the tragic death of Herb'e - also known as Flippa - the dolphin he had trained from scratch and shared a special connection with.

Herb'e and Duchess were being transported from Knowsley, Merseyside, to Rhyl in North Wales on Terry Nutkins' instruction, and were loaded onto canvas slings so they would stay in place during the van journey.

But the slings were too small, so the accompanying vet said he would cut them to make more room for the dolphins, despite David's protests. "I had alarm bells ringing... I put my hand into their box and I could see Duchess' blue eye looking at me. I put my hand over her eye as I knew what was going to happen - the vet's scalpel went through the sling and into my hand," David recalls.

The vet insisted David go straight to hospital for stitches, and against his better judgement he left his beloved dolphins to get treated. The animals were put outside in a van on a cold November day and caught pneumonia.

Reply
Tracy J Holroyd link
12/11/2025 16:15:33

This is a text copy of Emmeline Saunders’ Mirror Online exclusive interview with David C Holroyd, aka David Capello, posted 30th May 2025:

EXCLUSIVE: UK'S SECRET DOLPHIN POOL OF HORRORS - BREAKDOWNS, BLINDNESS AND FORCE-FEEDING ANIMALS WHO LONGED TO DIE

PART SEVEN

"Herb'e never recovered," David says starkly. "When I got to Rhyl he was already unloaded into the pool. I remember how he died to this day: I was in the water and I heard people screaming because Herb'e had disappeared below the water.

"I dived down to get him and all I could see was Herb'e looking at me sinking tail-first. When dolphins die they disembowel, so I was swimming through all of this muck with bits of him stuck to me as I was going down. He fell very slowly to the bottom of the pool, and it was like having an out-of-body experience, I was watching myself on the bottom of a pool cradling a dead eight-foot dolphin.

"I pushed him up to the top, all I could hear was the echo of screams under 13 foot of water. All these hands came and dragged him out of the water. I never saw Herb'e again. I got out of that pool. I walked downstairs to the changing rooms and I stole five log books relating to Herb'e's life, walked to my car and I never set foot on the dolphin stage again."

Traumatised by what he'd seen and been part of, David had a mental breakdown and turned down the opportunity to become head trainer of Ramu III, who was then Europe's only captive orca, held by Billy Smart's Circus at Windsor Safari Park.

Within six months of his decision to quit his high-flying career, all six of the dolphins David had formed a bond with died. Scouse, the young dolphin who had lost his eyes during his transport, was killed when he ingested a razor blade.

Duchess was taken back to Knowsley, where the vet said she died of a broken heart. "It always tortures me because I always said to her I would never leave her, and I did," says David.

"I want to put my wrongs right if I can. They all escaped the dolphinarium when they died. I never did. It's haunted me throughout my life."

Now David, who co-wrote The Perfect Pair dolphin trilogy with his sister Tracy, campaigns to close down the marine zoos that still keep dolphins and whales captive.

"These animals weren't meant to be captive. In the wild they swim and ride waves for hundreds of miles They can't do that in a concrete fishbowl," he says.

"If you want to see dolphins or whales, take a boat trip. Go and see them in their natural environment, as they should be seen, in the wild. Because while the public are still paying money to feed this vile industry, this isn't going to stop."

David C Holroyd, aka David Capello link
12/11/2025 16:39:20

RE EMMELINE SAUNDERS' EXCLUSIVE MIRROR ONLINE INTERVIEW:

First off, Tracy and I have been tipped off that these whistle-blower testimonies are being closely monitored by those who once worked in the UK dolphinarium industry. So, this latest article from the Mirror Online is bound to rattle a good few cages, cages that are shared by those very same people who have worked so hard from within the shadows to SHUT ME UP!

What was noticeable when this article went to publication was the NO-COMMENT policy employed by the UK ceta charities … those people who hold out their hands for our hard-earned cash by telling us how much they care.

It was also hugely disappointing to see just how many self-professed ceta activists chose to keep quiet. This was despite everything written on this article being fact-checked by the Mirror Online’s legal department. It was also worth noting that all venues and names mentioned were given the choice of redress, ie deny or make comment on what I exposed. Something none of those involved chose to do. A cowardly act that tells me why our stricken Atlanteans have suffered for so long in captivity.

So, here is my message to all those caring charity directors and their deluded supporters who profess to want to stop this vile industry:

“You should all feel thoroughly ashamed of yourselves, because my account is not only historical – it’s happening TODAY!”

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    David c holroyd & tracy j holroyd

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