UK Dolphinaria Archive: Cleethorpes Marineland & Zoo: 1966

BACKGROUND

Cleethorpes Zoo & Marineland was founded by Pentland Hick and was operated as a satellite zoo to Flamingo Park, both of which were later owned by Scotia Leisure. The Marineland complex consists of three pools. The construction of the pools was interesting as they were made of reinforced prefabricated fiberglass which was assembled on site to form 10 sided polygons.

The main exhibit pool was designed to display dolphins. It was semi-submerged in the ground but designed with enough of the structure above the ground to allow the use of underwater windows. Viewing the top of the pool was facilitated by a raised boardwalk. This pool measured approximately 40 feet by 12 feet deep.

The two supplementary pools to one side of the main pool were side by side and joined by a concrete platform which was initially used as haul outs for pinnipeds. These pools measured approximately 40 ft by 8 ft deep. They were submerged in the ground. Although these pools were constructed for the display of seals and sea lions, one of the poles was used for the beluga whale imported in 1969 and as temporary accommodation for Calypso, the killer whale, in 1970, prior to this animals transfer to Marineland in France.

Some years later, the main pool was cut in half, removing the underwater viewing. This was facilitated by the fact that the pool used to oscillate and rock when animals were swimming around it at speed, deeming the structure possibly unsafe.

A view from the largest pool which is still under construction with a view of one of the two ancillary pools in the background.

The fiberglass construction can be clearly seen.

A view across the finished main pool with a second ancillary pool on the right with the filter and fish preparation building centre.

In the final season, the zoo displayed dolphins in 1974 in one of the two smaller pools adjacent to the filter and fish preparation building.

The display of dolphins at this park was not continuous, with some years presentations were from sea lions only. Notable in its early days of the zoo, the marineland also displayed a beluga whale in 1969 and a briefly a killer whale in 1970, which was then moved to the Marineland in France.

The last dolphins displayed there was in the summer of 1974 when Max and Leigh were presented by John Dineley. These animals are supplied by Aquatic Mammal Enterprises. The zoo closed in 1977 and was redeveloped into Pleasure Island Theme Park, which itself closed in 2019. The site is now likely to be developed into a holiday and retail park.

A Review of Dolphinaria states:

The dolphin pool was outdoor, polygonal, fibre-glass lined, about 12.19 m across and 2.44 m deep. There is no information on any additional accommodation for the other species kept. Animals wintered at Flamingo, and may also have participated in winter shows elsewhere. There was much movement between the establishments in the group and it is very difficult to establish which were 'Cleethorpes' animals - if there were such. It is possible that available animals performed as required. Cleethorpes may also have been used for holding animals outside the summer season. Taylor (1976) mentions an artificial insemination attempt between the killer whales Calypso of Cleethorpes and Cuddles of Flamingo. A white whale was kept here briefly, and possible also a pilot whale. Trainers: Mr J. Dudley and Mr F. Rendell.