Tourist couple capture dolphin poachers on camera |13 October 2008

To their surprise, they then saw the most disgraceful act by a Seychellois couple. The two dolphin enthusiasts were shocked to see a man pulling the distressed animal into the bush and then getting into his car to fetch help.

As he left, he threatened the couple, who were watching what was going on before their eyes.

But what displeased them most was what they saw when they went a little further into the bush. The helpless animal was lying there struggling while the Seychellois man’s wife, with a baby in her arms, was hitting the poor creature. The Italian couple caught all these shameful actions on camera.

The couple then informed the police at Baie Lazare. However, when the policemen arrived on the scene, the poacher had already returned and taken the dolphin away.

Fortunately the police managed to track down the Seychellois couple thanks to the video footage.

It is shameful that tourists are witnessing such acts in a country that places nature conservation at the top of its agenda. Such scenes tarnish the beautiful postcard image we market throughout the world.

Conservation Section, Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Transport