§ Mr. Wrigglesworthasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether movement orders were applied for under the Endangered Species Act for the transfer of two bottlenosed dolphins from Scarborough to Belfast and from Belfast to Windsor via Southend.
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§ Mr. WaldegraveNo such movement order has been applied for.
§ Mr. Wrigglesworthasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) for what purpose dolphins were last imported into the United Kingdom; and what action the Government have taken to ensure these purposes have been fulfilled;
(2) when dolphins were last imported into the United Kingdom; who imported them; who owns them; and where they are now situated.
§ Mr. WaldegraveThe last importation of dolphins, which took place on 21 December 1983, was licensed under the Endangered Species (Import and Export) Act 1976. They were imported for breeding and exhibition purposes. My Department has carried out inspections to see whether the terms of the licence are being fulfilled.
I understand that the dolphins were imported by Mr. R. Bloom, their owner, and are now at Knowsley safari park, Prescot, Merseyside