Dolphin City: Chennai’s dolphinarium that shaped national debate on marine mammal captivity over 25 years ago
In the late 1990s, Chennai briefly hosted what was projected as a futuristic entertainment experiment — a dolphinarium on the East Coast Road near Mamallapuram
In the late 1990s, Chennai briefly hosted what was projected as a futuristic entertainment experiment — a dolphinarium on the East Coast Road near Mamallapuram. Named Dolphin City, the facility promised an experience modelled on American marine theme parks such as SeaWorld, by introducing captive dolphin shows to Indian audiences for the first time. Within months, the spectacle turned into controversy as all the three dolphins died, setting off one of the country’s earliest debates on the ethics of marine mammal captivity. A report in The Hindu dated July 13, 1998 described the excitement surrounding the opening of Dolphin City, where imported dolphins — Peppy, Antorio, and Daisy — performed acrobatics before packed audiences. The ₹13-crore facility, operated by Amusements and Picnic Resorts Private Limited, featured a 1,500-seat arena and an underground viewing gallery for observing dolphin behaviour. According to the report, the dolphins had been flown from Bulgaria and were trained to balance balls, leap through hoops, catch fish from trainers and interact with spectators during choreographed shows. Promoters positioned the dolphinarium as the “king of tourist attractions” along the East Coast Road, equipped with modern filtration systems, chlorination devices and cooling mechanisms intended to maintain water temperatures suitable for marine mammals.
Early criticism and concerns For many Chennai residents, the attraction offered a rare glimpse of animals previously seen only in foreign theme parks and films. However, critics and animal welfare organisations highlighted the physiological stress caused by confinement, difficulties in maintaining appropriate water conditions, and the lack of specialised veterinary expertise. An article in The Hindu published on October 12, 1998 referred to a letter from a reader pointing to environmental concerns surrounding the dolphinarium, including noise pollution from loud music, traffic and parking problems affecting nearby villages, and the heavy use of groundwater. The same column also reported the tragic development that all three dolphins had died, along with several sea lions. Observers suggested that excessive chemical use in tanks and climatic incompatibility may have contributed to the deaths. The article noted that dolphins typically inhabit cooler waters and questioned the feasibility of maintaining such species in a tropical city like Chennai. Animal welfare organisations, including the Blue Cross of India, called for cancellation of permits and reconsideration of the project. Tragedy reshapes public perception Following the deaths, Dolphin City came to represent the broader challenges associated with keeping marine mammals in captivity.
The BriefWire