Image: Caymaneco | CC

The world’s most expensive hotel has opened to a hail of outcry and controversy from animal protection and environmental groups worldwide, after it was alleged that 24 bottlenose dolphins that are to be help captive in the pools surrounding the outrageously over-the-top structure were bought from a dealer in the Solomon Islands.

Claiming to be Dubai’s first “rescue and rehabilitation centre for injured or stranded dolphins” becomes then, should the allegations prove to be true, a hypocritical statement and a slap in the face for the poor intelligent mammals now destined to face a life of misery all in the name of entertainment. Tourists are encouraged to spend £75 a time to swim with them, a move that will increase the likelihood of infections and injury to the dolphins – on top of the reduced life expectancy for animals in captivity.

This is not the first time the new behemoth has caused controversy. Last month the United Arab Emirates issued an order to have a 13ft shark removed from a display tank in the lobby of the hotel – who had been caught off the Gulf Coast in a move which completely ignored international permit laws and had activist groups from all corners of the earth up in arms.

Following the stranding of more than 70 dolphins off the Cornish coast last week - 26 of whom have died, I might add - we think it’s time Gordon Brown and the MoD got an ear-bashing for the part they had to play in the tragedy. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realise that the testing of military sonar will have an effect on dolphins (and whales), causing them to become confused, lost and ultimately beached up on a shore, like these guys did. Ingrid didn’t hesitate in faxing over a letter to the big PM, and here’s what she had to say: