Ellie, the country’s oldest captive Australian sea lion, and her dolphin neighbours may be forced from their home on the New South Wales (NSW) coast amid financial difficulties.
The Dolphin Marine Conservation Park in Coffs Harbour—midway between Sydney and Brisbane—entered voluntary administration this week, citing a lack of funding.
It is one of only two sea-life centres in the country that take in and treat sick and injured dolphins and is home to the largest population of endangered Australian sea lions in the world, including 29-year-old Ellie.
The park had been getting by on donations alone after being knocked back for grants by all levels of government, managing director Terry Goodall said.
“The last three years have been horrific, weather and COVID,” he told AAP on Friday.
“We’ve struggled–it’s an expensive operation. We own the place, we’re asset rich, but cash flow poor ... we’re just trying to figure out how to keep it going.”
The only facility between Taronga and Sea World licensed to treat and rehabilitate sick and injured sea life, the park was opened by Mr. Goodall’s uncle Hector 53 years ago.
Should it be forced to close, the animals will be re-homed by the owner of the Zoo and Aquarium Association Australasia.
Animal conservationists have in the past called for the animals homed in the Coffs Harbour centre to be taken somewhere where they don’t have to perform for tourists.
The marine park and two animal welfare organisations in recent years have worked together to improve the welfare of the park’s three bottlenose dolphins, including potential relocation to a sea sanctuary.
Terry Goodall said the animals will be well cared for if they have to move, but it could cost Coffs Harbour up to $20 million a year in lost tourism revenue.
“The animals will be OK–the loser will be Coffs,” he said.
“It’s us or the Big Banana.”
A major fundraising push is now underway to keep the pool and its endangered occupants afloat.
“We’re got meetings with local businesses to get money together,” he said.
“We’re going to need to have some sort of long-term, ongoing support of some kind.”
