News-Press from Fort Myers, Florida • Page 19

T. 1 NEWS-PRESS, MONDAY, APRIL 30, 1990 3B pr out ui.r. ml KUSHNER KUSHNER YEARS EXPERIENCE FT. MYERS WARREN, OHIO "Specialists mi Making Homt Mora Beautiful" Dolphin prices soar with ban on capture I'M CUSTOM-MADE (ZiAViv Attn i DRAPERIES By The Associated Press aw CUSTOM BEDSPREADS CUSTOM SHADES MINI I VERTICAL BLINDS WOVEN WOODS 'FREE ESTIMATE INSTALLATION '111, Attorneys at Law FAMILY LAW 1 PERSONAL INJURY CRIMINAL LAW SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY WILLS PROBATE 2069 First St. Downtown Fort Myers Suite 201 813-337-3600 But normally, he said, trained dolphins are sold for no more than $40,000 each.

Opponents of such trade say regulation is not tight enough because of the inherent conflict of interest in the Marine Mammal Protection Act. The U.S. Commerce Department and the National Marine Fisheries Service, empowered to protect the interests of business, are also in charge of protecting the dolphin. Kin ADI fL A Tl AM i i if mm SHOP AT HOME CALL 489-1010 mm NEW LOCATION: 7050 Wlnklar Rd. (Myerlei Shopping Cinttr) "An oa rmodelini tr furnishing i new homi?" CALL Mt TAMPA While a deadly, unexplained sickness has forced a ban on dolphin captures in the Gulf of Mexico, the constant demand for the animals at theme parks, aquariums even a casino has sent dolphin prices soaring.

Federal officials say they recently have heard of offers made for top performing dolphins from $50,000 to $100,000 apiece, but exact figures areclosely guarded industry secrets. "So long as they are captured and cared for under the law, I don't care how much money they make," said Chuck Oravetz, protected species coordinator for the National Marine Fisheries Service branch in St. Petersburg. "Economics is not something we delve into." But the stakes could keep climbing because the Gulf of Mexico, where nearly all dolphins for display are captured, is off limits until scientists can figure out what has caused the 237 known dolphin deaths so far this year. A 90-day federal moratorium on captures was scheduled to last CIQ CTCAM ADDCT ri FAMING kl mm mmsm mimMm Ik VS tin Water Extraction Experts We Move Furniture jriTCAfiYmra Afrsx ft A AS iU We Clean Cars We Cleon Boats Ptdh Out Dm.

Hmvv D'rt Me St OtTf Ckwimj DtJicatt fobrics StrtpfHftf 94 Weitaf S(Mtlitt Clwtt MitttM 100 Milts Ovtr 10 Yetw Ve Do Carpet 1 Pet Room Jfbiptf 3 room minimum Coupon thru 5 7 90 rt 1 earf 2 Sfo 1 Ctwir 95 Repairs Commercial Rates tnrougn mid-June but may be extended if the dolphin deaths contin ue. We Clean Orientals And even when captures are re FREE One Room Soil Retardant With Pufthow 2 wQHP IISP ipp dnpb SERVING FORT MYERS AND SURROUNDING AREAS FOR OVER 8 YEARS Ml ai 'jl' sumed, new quotas will be in effect to further restrict how many dolphins can be taken from the wild. With fewer animals for the taking, those in captivity become that much more valuable. "It's a matter of the laws of supply and demand," said Nick Brown, director of the non-profit National Aquarium in Baltimore, which plans to open a $35 million marine mammal facility by this fall. "We're having a hard time keeping up." In the past year alone, the National Aquarium's budget to procure dolphins has jumped from $300,000 to more than $1 million because of increased demand, Brown said.

Nine facilities, which also include Disney World and the Indianapolis Zoo, have permits to capture a total of 36 dolphins from the Gulf this year. Those plans are on hold for the moment. But it's the latest entry into the business that is causing the most controversy dolphins will soon compete with showgirls and slot machines at the Mirage hotel and casino on the shimmering Las Vegas strip. "Whenever a facility has never held dolphins before, there's controversy, especially when it has a lot of money to spend," said Ann Terbush, chief of the fisheries service's permit division in Silver Spring, Md. "I think the Mirage has had an effect on increasing the price of dolphins." Behind the Mirage swimming pool, workers are putting the finishing touches on a 1.5 million gallon display that is set to open with six dolphins in September.

"We have a tropical fish tank, a rain forest and a display of tigers now we'll have a state-of-the art facility for dolphins," said Mirage spokesman Alan Feldman. "It's another attraction that makes the Mirage a special place." He emphasized there are no plans for the dolphins to perform tricks and it will not be a swim-with-the-dolphins attraction. "The primary purpose is to help educate the public about dolphins." As a new dolphin display, the Mirage has a federal permit restricting its acquisition to animals already in captivity, none from the wild. Although the spokesman would not elaborate on the bids the Mirage is making for dolphins, he said money wasn't the prime concern. "It's not like something you walk into Sears and buy.

We're not looking for a bargain basement," Feldman said. "Yes, it's expensive to the extent we are willing to buy dolphins that have been well cared for and that are healthy." Earlier this month, the Mirage purchased its first dolphin, an 8-year-old female performer named Sigma, from the recently closed SeaArama in Galveston, Texas, fisheries service officials said. "Price is confidential," said SeaArama dolphin supervisor John Dellanera, adding that it was less than the rumored $100,000. "It was a more than fair price." The trading of dolphins as just another marketable commodity galls activists such as Richard O'Bar-ry, a former trainer for the "Flipper" television series who now runs the Miami-based Dolphin Project, an organization dedicated to protecting dolphins. "It's a very sleazy business," said O'Barry, who has protested the Mirage facility.

"A casino is no place for dolphins," he said. "It's going to be 'Dolphins for the Rich and O'Barry said some marine veterinarians routinely charge apprcnted facilities $20,000 to capture dolphins from the wild, while dolphin stars trained to leap for fish and jump through hoops command prices up to $100,000. Jay Sweeney, a San Diego marine mammal veterinarian who has trapped dolphins for several facilities, said the price he charges for the service varies, but it is around $10,000 plus expenses for his boats and crew of eight. As for captive, trained dolphins, Sweeney said he too has heard the Mirage made offers of up to $80,000 because it was having a hard time finding dolphins to open its facility. WITH CHECKMl FROM fOfflUM Now nearly everything you buy can be protected with Buyers Advantage? It's new.

It's free. And it's yours with a Fortune Check Club or Fifty Plus checking account. Protection covers loss, theft or even accidental damage up to a total of $50,000 per year. Items are covered for a full 90 days from the moment you make your purchase with a Fortune Check Club or Fifty Plus account check. Protect the things you buy for yourself and gifts you purchase for family and friends.

No registration is required. If the item you purchase is covered by a manufacturer's U.S. warranty, we'll double the warranty period up to one year on warranties of five years or less. Fortune Check Club offers many other advantages like free checking with a $100 minimum, travel discounts, credit card protection, accidental death insurance, bonus rate's on CDs and special discounts on loans. And if you're 50 or over, our Fifty Plus account offers even more.

If you already have a Fortune Check Club or Fifty Plus checking account, you are automatically covered with Buyers Advantage" If you don't have one, hurry in to open yours today. Quick. Before you buy another thing. If your bank doesn't offer this valuable protection, why are you there? SAVINGS Your Own Personal Fortune. Cape Coral branch, Coral Point Shopping Center 574-5444 Foxmoor branch, 5660 Bayshore Road NE, North Ft.

Myers 543-3500 Cypress Trace branch, 13300-53 S. Cleveland Ave. Ft. Myers 482-4464 Port Charlotte branch, 2100 Forrest Nelson Blvd. 625-9866 Royal Palm branch, 1400 Colonial Blvd.

i Ft. Myers 275-5115 FDIC Insured Insurance offered through independent providers that are solely responsible for coverage. Certain limitations, exclusions ami restrictions apply. 1'lease refer to program description for additional details..