Umah Lumba is worlds first dolphin rehabilitation center and sanctuary. It was constructed in West Bali, Indonesia in 2019 by the conservation authorities BKSDA Bali, Dolphin Project and JAAN.
This facility created new hope for rescued dolphins who previously had to entertain visitors inside a hotel swimming pool. Seized by the authorities in August 2019, the dolphins were entrusted in our care. In the specially built sea enclosures, rescued dolphins can adapt to live independently in the sea again.
Swimming with dolphins
In Indonesia and Bali there are a number of places where tourists can swim with dolphins. For many people that sounds like a dream come true. They are beautiful, graceful and always have a smile on their face (a purely anatomical feature that tells nothing about their emotions). People think that the animals are having a good time, which is anything but true.
Dolphins should not live in captivity. After being snatched away from their families, they live with strange peers in pools that are way too small and in which they cannot hunt, play or communicate with other dolphin groups via sonar. In captivity, the animals turn off their sonar because the walls of the cage bounce off the sound: for dolphins, this is maddening. Without sonar it is not possible to catch fish themselves, so the animals perform every trick just to be rewarded with food.
Sea turtle rehabilitation
This new part of the program started in 2022 when we received sea turtles from the authorities, all confiscated from the illegal trade. Within one year, we received 109 rescued green sea turtles, all confiscated from illegal traders. Besides illegal wildlife trade, the main threat to turtles in need of our care is plastic pollution and ghost fishing net entanglements.
A short summary of this program's activities
Large Dolphin rescue operation
In August 2019, a large rescue operation was made possible by the authorities assisted by stichting Jaan/Dolphin Project. Four dolphins were rescued from a hotel in Bali, where they previously entertained tourists for years. One of the dolphins turned blind because of the chlorinated water in which they were kept. The other one no longer has teeth. For more than two months they were cared for at the hotel by their regular supervisors before they were strong enough for transportation. Then they were transported to the coast of Bali.
Back to the ocean
The dolphins are rehabilitating in a new sea cage from JAAN Wildlife. The sea enclosures are largely open so that fish can swim through them and the dolphins get used to their natural habitat. They practice hunting for fish, learn to use their sonar again and slowly become resistant to natural enemies. When the dolphins are ready, they leave the cage to rediscover the ocean.
Confiscation of sea turtles from the illegal trade
In Bali, green sea turtles (Chelonia Mydas) are still traded illegally for consumption. The authorities are cracking down on this cruel trade and we are here to assist them. Live seaturtles often coming from far, brought in by boats, arrive in very poor condition. We provide the needed treatment and care until they are strong enough to be released back into the ocean.
Rescue tranded and sick sea turtles
Sea turtles, such as olive ridley and green sea turtles, that become stranded or ill—often found by fishermen—are treated at the center. These cases frequently require long-term treatment and intensive care due to the severity of their conditions, which can include entanglement, swallowing of fishing hooks, or the presence of plastics in their intestines, among other issues.
A small glimpse of this program
Years of support and Collaboration with Ric O'Barry's Dolphin Project
The transport, maintenance and building of sea enclosures is very costly. The program is fully supported by Ric O'Barry's Dolphin project, who have been campaigning for over 50 years against keeping dolphins in captivity.
JAAN's founder Femke den Haas represents the Dolphin Project in Indonesia. She wrote a book about the rescue, rehabilitation and release of the dolphins; Swim Free. Contact us if you want to learn more or get the book
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JAAN relies on the loving and generous support of all animal lovers in Indonesia and the rest of the word.
