Duisburg Zoo, Duisburg, Germany

In the Zoo Duisburg the Baltic Harbour Porpoise Day was celebrated nearly two weeks late in 2012. Because many dolphin species are in danger of extinction, and not only the Baltic harbour porpoise, the zoo decided to broaden the scope to a  ‘Dolphins Day’ to highlight the serious predicament of many marine mammals. In preparation of the event, a 5 m x 30 m fishing net was stretched out between three trees. Two-dimensional models of 16 different kinds of dolphins in their original size were placed in this fishing net, illustrating the risk they face of ending up as bycatch. The following day, a sign was put up in the zoo informing visitors of the large amount of support for the protection of dolphins.

In the previous year, fifth-graders had painted a blue whale-sized porpoise onto the pavement near the dolphinarium. This was redone for this year’s event. Several information booths highlighted threats to dolphins and provided information about the biology of the animals. There also were many interesting activities for children, who could get a porpoise or dolphin face paint and a treasure hunt.

In the evening, Ms Heidrun Frisch, Coordinator of the ASCOBANS Secretariat in Bonn, gave a presentation about the Baltic harbour porpoise and the international efforts to conserve it. She highlighted especially the work undertaken under ASCOBANS and the Jastarnia Plan for the recovery of the Baltic harbour porpoise.