Two bottlenose dolphins, named Misha and Tom, are finally to be released from captivity.

The pair previously lived in a marine enclosure in Kaş, until June 2010, when they were transferred to a small and unsuitable pool in Hisaronu.  

Businessmen wanted to charge tourists £50 a time to swim with the dolphins, but they failed to recognise the outrage felt by thousands of animal lovers, who set about closing them down.

Negotiations have recently been taking place on the handover details for the two dolphins.  The plan to rehabilitate Misha and Tom, and release them back into the wild is not without its risks, however John Knight, a senior vet from Born Free, believes it is a risk worth taking.  It has to be better than leaving them in Hisaronu.

Below: Moving Misha & Tom. 

This is a heartwarming story, and an example of Turkish people and foreigners working together, to achieve a common objective.  We can only hope that Misha and Tom are strong enough to deal with the stressful rehabilitation and release back into the wild.

You can read more about this story by clicking on the following links:

Hurriyet Daily News online article

The Born Free organisation

Facebook page - Free the Oludeniz Dolphins

Photos courtesy of Born Free Foundation.  Copyright acknowledged.