Two dolphins at a Swiss theme park died after ingesting a heroin substitute around the same time as a weekend rave at the park last November, according to reports from Switzerland.
A toxicology report from a forensics institute in St. Gallen, Switzerland, showed tests found traces of the heroin substitute buprenorphine in the dolphins' urine, according to a report in London's Daily Mail online, citing Swiss media reports.
The dolphins died within five days of each other in November, after the area near their pool in the Connyland marine park had been rented out for a weekend rave, according to the reports.
Cornelis van Elk, a Dutch marine biologist, said the drugs turn off a part of the dolphins' brains which tells them when to surface for air.
Connyland keeper Nadja Gasser told local media how one of the dolphins, named Chelmers, died, according to the Daily Mail.
"He was drifting under the water and was clearly in trouble and so we jumped into the water.
"We tried to hold him. He was shaking all over and was foaming at the mouth.
"Eventually we got him out of the water. His tongue was hanging out. He could hardly breathe.
"He was given adrenalin, but it didn't help.
"After an hour the dolphin died."
In a report in the Daily Mail shortly after the rave, wildlife experts said noise from the event could have stressed the animals' immune systems and led to the death of the first dolphin, Shadow.
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What a shame, First of all why the heck was there a RAVE at a ZOO? Second of all, i think the zoo should be held 100% responsible! @ bellatrix how are people supposed to practice "self responsibility" when there all coked up & thizzed out?? anyways, r.i.p dolphins, innocent animals killed because of stupid people.
how F–cking STUPID can u be to let them throw a rave at a dolphin exhibit????????????????
I thought this article was a joke or a spoof – are they serious?
@k.t. i was thinking the exact same thing. what the hell, a rave at a zoo?? and yes just another example of supposedly super intelligent humans, the most intelligent species on earth, and yet we are hurting the earth and nature once again. and for no reason except they wanted to get high on heroin, and probably thought it was funny to give it to the dolphins. and 90% of american people 17-25yo would probably laugh too. what is society coming to? seriously. and im 23 so trolls dont act like im just an old man trying to hate on the younger generation.
It's all about the money, that's the bottom line at whatever's expense. The zoo keepers should have known that it was a bad idea and how ignorant and shameful on the people that think it's funny to give heroin to a dolphin. LOSERS!
The Dolphin drug problem is really getting out of hand. I think we should show them footage of an egg being fried and tell them it's their brain. IT worked here...
What in the Hell is wrong with people?!?!
the Cove...enough said
Frackin people!!!! The older I get the more and more I like people less and less!!!!
Sorry little guy. I hope whoever did it hears about it and regrets it forever.
The sad part is – I bet the keepers DID know it was bad. But the decision came from the top. Always happens.
I couldn't agree more with k.t and JB's response. It's so unfortunate that these beautiful intelligent innocent animals had to die because of idiotic humans. It's not in the least bit fair. The theme park should be sued for their horrible judgement. Humans are the worst thing that ever happened to any other animal on this planet.
so agree with you...humans can be evil!
This cruelty needs to stop!
" The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. 6 The Lord regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled. 7 So the Lord said, “I will wipe from the face of the earth the human race I have created..."
Genesis 6:9-f
I'm not into the Bible, but I agree on this one.....
I guess that would be one more thing that he has been a total failure at. Can he be impeached?
Gives a new meaning to the term "Fried Fish". Yes, I know they are technically Marine Mammals, but its not near as funny otherwise.
Who was the idiot in charge of approving a RAVE at the Zoo?? There they put $$$ over life, they need to be charged with animal abuse and fired. My heart is sadden for the loss of these wonderful and amazing animals. The animals that had the heroin, I hope your day comes along with the jerk that approved the RAVE!
I remember this story a few months back, before the toxicology reports. If I recall, the trained staff were very against the event being held there due to the sensitivity that Dolphins have to sound (but the park management went ahead with it anyhow, probably because they were getting a HUGE rental fee) – and it was originally thought that it was so disturbing to them that it caused their death. Now it's obvious that some total moron decided to give them drugs. Disgusting. I wonder if there were any surveillance cameras that could show who actually did this, because they deserve punishment!
That just doesn't make any sense.Buprenorphine is an opiate inhibiter, given to addicts to make it impossible to get a high from opiates. Why would anyone give anything to a dophin, let alone this? Bizzare!
buprenorphine(suboxone) is not an opiate inhibitor. its actually a pretty strong semi synthetic opiate.It is 20-40 times stronger than morphine in similar dosages. It's used to treat opiate addiction but they're really just trading one drug for another.