Visitors shun lone dolphin | Hawkes Bay News | Local News in Hawkes Bay

ANGELA MENTZER The death of Shona, one of Marineland's two remaining dolphins in April last year, had lead to a steady decline in visitor numbers to the Hawke's Bay seafront tourist attraction.

Since the well publicised illness and death of Shona, visitor numbers had been on a steady downward slide. The situation became particularly noticeable to Marineland staff over the traditionally busy Christmas and New Year holiday period.

Marineland manager Gary MacDonald said while visitor attendance had been "steady" over the past few weeks, he had noticed a decline in the flow of people arriving to check out the attractions.

Recent bad weather had also had an impact on the numbers, although Mr MacDonald believed the slide was more to do with what he described as a public perception that Marineland no longer had any dolphins at all.

"Kelly is still here and doing shows," Mr MacDonald said.

"She's well and cheeky as ever".

Kelly, who in her 37th year is hale and hearty, is continuing to perform her daily shows.

She is also swimming with the public, despite being on lighter duties.

Mr MacDonald said he hoped the weather would soon settle down and that visitors would begin returning to Marineland in greater numbers.

Down to one ageing dolphin, the attraction was now placing increased emphasis on its other popular marine animals such as the penguins and sealions.