London Dolphinarium: 1971 -

Dudley Smith presenting the animals

BACKGROUND

Opening on the 1 April 1971 the London Dolphinarium was located at 65 Oxford Street in London and owned by the Pleasurama Leisure Group. At this time the company also owned Marineland in Mallorca and a temporary dolphin holding and training pool located in the Pleasurama's Amusement Park at Ramsgate. In December 2012, 65 Oxford Street and any of the remaining infrastructure from the original dolphinarium were demolished for redevelopment.
A Review of Dolphinaria states: 


The indoor pool was 14.63 x 5.18-6.40 x 3.05 m deep, with a holding pool 4.27 x 5.18 x 2.13 m deep. Taylor (1980) says that the males had to be treated with anti-androgens to prevent them making vigorous amorous advances to the 'aquamaids' who took part in the show. He says that the establishment was never a great financial success. Burton (1972) mentions an experimental lecture and demonstration service for schools. Trainers: Mr B. Whitehead and Mr G. Marshal.
The London Dolphinarium. 65 Oxford Street, London


 
Holding pools at the dolphinarium under the seating and abutting Soho Square.
 




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https://kathytroutt.wordpress.com/2011/01/12/dolphin-pantomime-london/




1 comment:

  1. I went to the London Dolphinarium as a 12-year-old tourist, at a time when my family didn’t know better about animal welfare. A much fancier outdoor “dolphinarium” opened in the desert near Phoenix a few years ago. In short order, several dolphins died of diseases, there was an outcry from the public, and it closed - a total flop. I don’t mourn the passing of the London Dolphinarium. But I took a look in Google Street View and saw the monstrosity that replaced 65 Oxford Street and other nearby buildings. How, in this day and age, traditional English architecture that survived World War II is still being destroyed is beyond me. Nobody goes to London to gawk at glass facades. Is it any wonder that now-King Charles III railed for years against the architectural atrocities defacing London?

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