Dolfinarium Harderwijk

Dolfinarium Harderwijk, widely known as the Dolfinarium, is a prominent marine mammal park situated in Harderwijk, the Netherlands. It holds the distinction of being the largest marine mammal park in Europe. The park's origins trace back to 1955 when businessman Frits den Herder, alongside his brother Coen, began collecting sea mammals and constructing a dolphinarium. The Dolfinarium officially opened its doors to the public in 1965, with Frits den Herder articulating a foundational goal: to cultivate respect and awe for these remarkable sea creatures among the Dutch population.

History and Development

Throughout the 1970s, the Dolfinarium saw significant expansion, increasing its animal collection and constructing additional enclosures. A notable addition in 1976 was the Icelandic orca Gudrun. By the end of that decade, the park began establishing international dependencies, though these ventures did not prove financially successful, leading to the Dolfinarium filing for bankruptcy in 1982. Following this, a new foundation was formed at the insistence of the mayor of Harderwijk to ensure the park's continuation, and in 1984, new ownership acquired the company's shares. The park changed hands again in 1989, with the new owner investing in new attractions, including the construction of a large lagoon in 1997.

In 2001, Compagnie des Alpes acquired the Dolfinarium. The park underwent substantial renovations in 2005 for its fiftieth anniversary and further refurbishments, including the dome, in the winter of 2012–2013. By December 2014, ownership was in the process of transferring from Compagnie des Alpes to Aspro Parks. In 2016, the Dolfinarium announced a reduction in its dolphin population, citing the population having grown too large, and also introduced a new children's playground. The park experienced increased visitor numbers and turned a profit in 2018 after opening a new attraction.

Park Areas and Experiences

The Dolfinarium operates annually from spring to autumn, with winter months dedicated to maintenance. The park is organized into distinct areas catering to various species or groups of animals, with some animals participating in shows. Key areas include:

• Bruinvisbaai: Home to harbour porpoises.
• DolfijndoMijn: The primary show arena for common bottlenose dolphins, located within a characteristic dome with a capacity for 2,000 spectators.
• Dolfijnendelta: Formerly the lagoon, this serves as the living area for common bottlenose dolphins, including newborns. It features an underwater viewing area, the Onderwater Odiezee, with a 60-meter glass wall offering close encounters with the dolphins.
• Krabbenkust: Showcasing crabs, lobsters, sea anemones, and fish.
• Roggenrif: Featuring rays, sharks, European seabass, mullet, and other fish, crabs, lobsters, oysters, and sea anemones.
• Stoere Stellerstek: Dedicated to Steller sea lions.
• Walrussenwal: The habitat for walruses; Igor the walrus resided here until his death in 2013.
• Zeeleeuwenzee: Home to California sea lions.
• Zeehondenzand: Housing harbor seals and grey seals.
• Zotte Zeeleeuwentheather: A show area for California sea lions.

Beyond animal exhibits, the park offers numerous restaurants, shops, playgrounds, and a beach on lake Wolderwijd. Plans for an in-park hotel have also been proposed.

Specialized Programs and Initiatives

The Dolfinarium collaborates with a foundation to provide therapeutic dolphin sessions for children with autism or Down syndrome. For commercial offerings, it runs a "Sleeping with dolphins" program aimed at children aged 8 to 12.

SOS Dolfijn

An independent foundation named SOS Dolfijn was formerly based at the Dolfinarium. Its mission was to rescue stranded porpoises, dolphins, and whales, with porpoises being the most frequent patients. The foundation aimed to rehabilitate these animals for release back into the wild. However, the cooperation between SOS Dolfijn and the Dolfinarium concluded in 2016, prompting SOS Dolfijn to seek a new location.

The Case of Morgan the Orca

The Dolfinarium garnered significant international attention in 2010 when it rescued and provided care for a young, emaciated orca named Morgan, found in the North Sea. During her recovery, opinions diverged on whether she should be returned to the wild or transferred to Loro Parque in Spain for specialized care. The Dolfinarium supported the transfer to Loro Parque. Ultimately, a Dutch judge ruled in favor of the transfer, and Morgan was moved to Loro Parque in November 2011. The rescue, upkeep, and transport of Morgan incurred costs exceeding €1 million for the Dolfinarium.

Television Appearances

The Dolfinarium's dolphins have been featured in television productions. The Dutch broadcaster Nickelodeon aired the children's show Spetter! in 2006, which was centered around a dolphin named Spetter, the first dolphin born at the park through artificial insemination. A subsequent season, Spetter and the Romanov Mystery, aired in 2007. These series contributed to an increase in visitor numbers for the Dolfinarium.