Marineland…..A childhood memory for a lot of New Zealand people that came to Napier with their kids. No one really thought about how the animals were captured or their treatment. It certainly wasn’t natural for a seal to get dressed up in a hat & tie & touted around. There is also something sad about the loss of the fun of Marineland & the show! This oar is a homage to the ‘Stars of Marineland’ & all the animals that spent their lives performing under great duress. With the death of Kelly the last remaining dolphin, the future of Marineland hangs in the hands of the local council. I think it should be a sanctuary for animals & an education centre with a lovely cafe. It should open out onto the waterfront so we can all enjoy it. It should be interactive & give people the opportunity to see these animals whilst in recuperation. Some animals can’t be rehabilitated back into the environment so it needs be upgraded so they can be kept in as natural a habitat as possible. Like a Marineland Te Papa style, a national icon….