Woburn Dolphinarium: 1972 - 1983


BACKGROUND

Woburn dolphinarium was one of a number of dolphinariums constructed and operated by Entam  (Trust Houses Forte Leisure). Etam's original dolphinarium was opened in 1972 in the Welsh seaside town of Rhyl. Later that year it opened a dolphinarium at the Knowsley Safari Park and Woburn Wild Animal Kingdom.



Two of Woburn's first dolphins were"Bonny" and "Clyde" that came from the London Dolphinarium.

The dolphinarium division was managed by the naturalist and TV presenter Terry Nutkins. Etam discontinue the operation of its dolphinariums in 1983 

A Review of Dolphinaria states:

The rectangular indoor pool was 13.70 x 7.62 x 3.96 m deep, with a holding pool 3.05 x 3.05 x 2.13 m deep.




 The trainer in the wet-suit is John Dineley and dolphin is called Bonnie. She was being examined in March 1975 to see if she was pregnant. In the bottom picture to the left is vet Andrew Greenwood of the International Zoo Veterinary Group; to the right is Terry Nutkins and the middle is Henrietta Marchioness of Tavistock: the wife of Robin Russell, 14th Duke of Bedford. 




 Trainer Denis Steele with Bonny and Clyde.

Since the 1980s with the dolphin pool and building was converted to house sea lions.






2 comments:

  1. Tina Hayworth worked there in 1975 & 76 with Bonnie & Clyde and Jingles the Sea Lion

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  2. nathan ahim sheppard i worked there as a teenager summer job at that time and bought my own film camera now 60 years old and still making films

    ReplyDelete