Sydney, July 22: Up to 30 Solomon Island dolphins were on a potentially life-threatening flight to a Mexican amusement park, animal activists said today after their unsuccessful last-ditch attempt to block the transfer. Australians for animals co-ordinator sue Arnold told the associated press a Brasil air cargo jet left Honiara airport about midnight yesterday following violent clashes between Solomons police and journalists trying to film the dolphins.

"Now we`re waiting to see a planeload of dead dolphins arrive in Cancun,`` said a distraught Arnold, referring to the destination, a Mexican resort.

Since Arnold raised the alarm weeks ago, the world wildlife fund and Greenpeace have condemned the capture of up to 200 dolphins penned on Gela Island, part of the pacific island nation.

Local fishermen were paid 400 Solomon dollars (US$60) by a Cancun marine park for each mammal, which then sell for up to us$165,000 to overseas aquariums, Arnold and other animal campaigners claim.

Australia`s environment minister David Kemp last week formally asked mexico to block the sale, but was rebuffed by officials who said the paperwork was in order.

But Arnold Criticised Australia _ which is this week leading a peacekeeping force to the lawless island nation for doing too little. ``the dolphins have been put in the too-hard basket,`` she said.
Calls by AP to Kemp`s office went unreturned today.


An attempt by Arnold and local Solomons activists to gain an urgent injunction Monday failed to match the speed at which dolphins were loaded into containers and flown out.


Bureau Report