Adaland Dolphinpark The Truth Exposed
An undercover audit reveals significant animal welfare concerns that challenge the park's claims of meeting international standards.
Audit by Jakub Banasiak
The informal undercover audit of Adaland Dolphinpark in Kuşadası, Turkey, documents significant animal welfare concerns despite the facility appearing clean and orderly on the surface. The findings raise serious questions about dolphin living conditions, heat exposure, training practices, public interactions, and the ethical basis of dolphin assisted therapy programs hosted at the park.
The report strongly challenges Adaland Dolphinpark's public claims of meeting international dolphin welfare standards.
We created this page as a summary of the official report, presenting the findings as objectively as possible without adding our own judgements.
About Adaland Dolphinpark
Adaland Dolphinpark operates as a tourist entertainment venue, offering:
Note: While marketed as family-friendly and educational, the audit finds that education is minimal and misleading, and welfare standards do not align with claims of meeting international dolphin welfare guidelines.
! Key Findings
Dolphin Living Conditions
Five dolphins were observed across three pools:
Critical Concerns:
- • Pools are far too small to meet dolphins' natural locomotive needs
- • Insufficient shade, especially critical given air temperatures exceeding 40°C
- • Mother and calf spent most time in direct sunlight, increasing risk of sunburn and overheating
- • Water temperature was reportedly too high, confirmed by a trainer
Abnormal Dolphin Behavior
Dolphins displayed abnormal and concerning behaviors, including:
Repeatedly beaching themselves onto the stage without command
Floating motionless or swimming slowly once trainers left
These behaviors may indicate stress, boredom, or learned helplessness.
Health Concerns
Multiple dolphins showed physical abnormalities:
- Long-term skin lesions
- Healed wounds on fins
- Filed down teeth with unnaturally uniform wear
- Lesions on the mother dolphin's snout
Although staff claimed these did not affect health, the persistence and variety of conditions raise red flags.
Show Performances
Shows followed a rigid, pre-planned routine involving unnatural behaviors:
Safety Risk: Jumps were performed dangerously close to concrete pool edges, risking injury. Shows prioritized spectacle over animal wellbeing.
Swim Programs & Photo Sessions
Swim with Dolphins
- • Tourists were instructed on rules, but rules were not enforced
- • Visitors held dolphins incorrectly by fin tips
- • Touching dolphins without hand sanitation
- • One dolphin performed monotonous tricks alone with minimal reinforcement
Photo Sessions
- • Dolphins used heavily for commercial photos
- • One dolphin observed lying out of water for over 2 minutes in full sun
- • This position places dangerous pressure on internal organs
- • No hygiene protocols enforced
Dolphin Assisted Therapy
The park hosts dolphin assisted therapy programs, primarily for Polish families via the Dobra Wioska Foundation.
Ethical Concerns:
- • The smaller pool is regularly used for therapy sessions
- • The calf is not separated from its mother during therapy
- • Nursing occurred in unshaded, overheated areas
- • Therapy claims are not supported by observed welfare conditions
Facility Conditions
While the park appeared clean and organized, infrastructure deterioration was evident:
Observed Issues:
- • Peeling paint on pool edges
- • Rust stains suggesting metal corrosion
- • Damaged terracotta in visitor contact areas
Report Conclusions
Despite a clean appearance and friendly presentation, the audit concludes that:
- Dolphin welfare is significantly compromised
- Pool size, heat exposure, and shade are inadequate
- Human-dolphin interactions pose physical, psychological, and disease transmission risks
- Training and show practices enforce unnatural behaviors
- Dolphin assisted therapy claims are not supported by observed welfare conditions
NGO Investigation
A comprehensive report by Dolphinaria-Free Europe (DFE) documented the conditions at the Kusadasi facility, revealing concerning findings about animal welfare standards and regulatory compliance.
Read the Full ReportTake Action
Your voice matters! Send petitions to local authorities demanding an end to dolphin captivity in Kusadasi. Every message brings us closer to freedom for these beautiful creatures.
Contact Your Cruise Line
Make your voice heard
Contact your cruise company and express your concerns about dolphin captivity at this port destination. Cruise lines listen to passenger feedback and can influence local tourism practices.
Contact Ege Ports
Global Ports Holding
As the cruise port operator, Ege Ports influences tourism standards in Kusadasi. Ask them to advocate against animal entertainment near their facilities.
Message to Cruise Passengers
Welcome to Kusadasi! We're thrilled you're visiting our beautiful town. As a conscious traveler, you have the power to make a difference:
- Do not visit dolphin shows or "swim with dolphins" attractions
- Choose ethical alternatives - boat tours to see wild dolphins in their natural habitat
- Share this page with fellow cruise passengers
- Leave reviews on TripAdvisor, Google, Reddit, and online forums mentioning your support for dolphin-free tourism
"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated."
— Mahatma Gandhi