For a fee, visitors are also allowed to touch the dolphins and have an instant photograph taken with them. This places undue stress on these gentle animals as they have to remain still for up to 20 minutes, while out of the water and exposed to the hot sun (see picture below). These dolphins are known to have sensitive skin.

The SPCA's stance:
The SPCA strongly objects to such exploitation as it does not in any way enhance the dolphins' lives. Being made to perform tricks is not part of the dolphins' natural behaviour. Moreover, revenue-generating activities like touching the dolphins and taking photos with them places undue stress on the animals. We ask the public not to support such shows which have minimal educational value.

What we have done:
The SPCA wrote to Underwater World Singapore in 2004 and requested that Sentosa Development Corporation implement a critical review of the dolphin shows. We also stated that there should be no physical contact between visitors and the dolphins.

In 2005, the SPCA's Operations Manager and Inspector visited Dolphin Lagoon again. After that visit, the SPCA wrote once more to Underwater World. We voiced our objections to the continued use of the Indo-Pacific Hump-back dolphins to entertain the public with unnatural acts and subjecting them to photography sessions with the public. It asked for a review of the dolphin shows and to redesign the exhibit to show dolphins' natural behaviour. Underwater World's response was that dolphins at Dolphin Lagoon receive the best possible care. They stated that together with Dolphin Lagoon, they have repeatedly demonstrated commitment to marine education, environmental awareness and conservation.

The SPCA stands by its recommendations to Underwater World and will continue to monitor the situation.

Wild Animals In Entertainment
In April 2005, a Serval attacked a member of the public during a show at Singapore's Night Safari. Following this, the SPCA wrote to the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) to request a review of wild animals having to perform at the Singapore Zoo, Night Safari and Dolphin Lagoon, Sentosa.

In this letter, the SPCA referred to the ban on wild animals performing in travelling circuses that the government implemented in 2002. According to the AVA's press release, this ban was initiated in the interest of public safety and animal welfare. The SPCA requested for this ban to be extended to wild animals performing locally.

The AVA replied that the serval incident was an isolated incident. It insisted that there are measures in place at these establishments to ensure public safety along with a comfortable living environment for the animals. AVA said it was not necessary to impose a ban on live animal performances locally as long as public safety and animal welfare are not compromised.

The SPCA has in September 2006, also expressed its concerns to the Zoo management in regard to the serval having to perform unnaturally in that it is made to jump a considerable height with the lure of food being the motivating factor. Landing on the wrong footing, could result in a fracture.

The impacts of stress on wild animals having to perform can be seen in unpredictable behaviours such as attacks on people. There is no justification to continue subjecting animals to unnatural practices in front of an audience.