Will Dubai's Atlantis Hotel Free Sammy?
October 20, 2008 4:22 PM

By LARA SETRAKIAN, ABC News reporter in Dubai:

Ever heard of a whale shark? If not, it might be because there aren’t that many swimming the deep blue. Recognized as a threatened species vulnerable to extinction, one fine specimen has found fame in captivity. “Sammy,” a young female whale shark, is being held at the Palm Atlantis – a deluxe Dubai hotel featuring a massive aquarium and water park. Growing up to 65 feet long, whale sharks are the largest fish in the world – fitting for Dubai, a city trademarked for having the biggest and best of everything.

Sammy’s confinement has kicked up a global protest. The World Wildlife Federation launched efforts for Sammy’s release. Locally, Dubai-based groups and newspapers have demanded the same, accusing the Atlantis of profiting from Sammy’s capture. The most scathing indictment comes from Jason Baker, Director of PETA Asia-Pacific, in a letter reprinted, in part, by Dubai’s Gulf News. Baker wrote: "Removing animals from the wild and putting them on display in captivity does nothing to promote true conservation efforts and is often a death sentence for marine animals who are torn away from their families and placed in a foreign environment. In the ocean, Sammy would live in deep water, swim for hundreds of miles to feed and mate, and constantly feel the ocean's currents...in your hotel, she will be forced to live in a virtual bathtub."

The WWF also had a zinger. Citing statements by Atlantis that the whale shark was brought to the aquarium for medical care after being found in distress, the WWF said it “recommends the management of Atlantis consider their rationale for keeping the whale shark longer than is necessary for its 'recovery' and release it back into its natural habitat without delay. Keeping the whale shark at Atlantis, not being an educational or scientific institution, does not increase the potential for conservation of the wild population.” The Atlantis had also argued that putting the whale shark on display would be of educational value to its high-paying guests.

UAE Environment Minister Dr. Rashid Ahmed bin Fahad has said Sammy the whale shark would be freed, but as of this writing there is no word of her release. The Palm Atlantis, part of the Kerzner International hotel group, has not returned our calls for comment.

PS. Those who’ve been to the Bahamas may notice that Dubai's Palm Atlantis looks a lot like an Arabesque copy-paste of the Atlantis on Paradise Island…