2. RIC O’BARRY RicO’Barry captured and trained 5 dolphins in the 1960’s for the television series “Flipper.”
3. RicO’Barry and Cathy Kathy, one of RicO’Barry’s dolphins committed suicide and died in his arms. That was when he realized the cruelty of the captivity industry.
4. Building and Tearing Down When RicO’Barry had began this industry, he was young, well paid and famous for training dolphins and drove a nice car. He didn’t get to stop and think about the dolphins until the suicide of Cathy. “I spent ten years building that industry up and I spent the last thirty-five years trying to tear it down.”–Richard O’Barry
5. In 1989, RicO’Barry founded the non-profit project Dolphin Project Inc. The main goal of Dolphin Project Inc. is to release dolphins captivity. www.thedolphinproject.com
6. The Cove RicO’Barry starred in the award winning documentary about dolphin cruelty in “The Cove”. A group of activists who sets out on a mission to see what happens to dolphins in a Japanese cove.
7. Fined for Sugarlaof Dolphin Release In 1996 RicO’Barry freed two captivated dolphins who weren’t prepared to survive in the wild. He was found guilty and fined $59,500 for violating the Marine Mammal Protection Act. The two dolphins “Luther” and “Buck” were later found approaching people and begging for food.
8. Freed Dolphins RicO’Barry freed over more than 25 dolphins from all over the world. Countries he freed Dolphins from were Haiti Columbia Guatemala Nicaragua Brazil Bahamas Islands United States
9. Dolphin Trying to Escape After viewing a video of a dolphin known as a false killer whale jumping out of the pool/tank during a show; RicO’Barry asked “Why does a human jump off a building,” pointing out to readers and viewers that the dolphin was obviously committing suicide. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/unleashed/2010/07/ric-obarry-dolphin-aquarium-cruelty.html
10. RicO’Barry’s Stunts The day after Kathy’s death, Ric freed Charlie Brown; another caged dolphin he captured. Strapped on a TV set with images of dead dolphins and walked into the International Whaling Commission meeting. Sat on top of a submarine bomb, showing people that it could harm sea life.
11. SEPTEMBER 1, 2009 September 1st has always been the start of dolphin slaughter season in Japan, but on this day of 2009, RicO’Barry arrived in Taji, Japan to find no dolphin killers or trapped dolphins. “So today is a very good day for dolphins!” Link to RicO’Barry’s Article http://www.takepart.com/news/2009/09/01/urgent-update-from-taiji-september-1-2009-a-good-day-for-dolphins/
