Behind the Dolphin Smile: A True Story that Will Touch the Hearts of Animal Lovers Everywhere - Softcover

O'Barry, Richard; Coulbourn, Keith

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1580631010 ISBN 13: 9781580631013

Publisher: Renaissance Books, 2000

Synopsis

People who have faced death often speak of their lives flashing before their lives. Something much different happened to dolphin trainer Richard O'Barry when one of the dolphins that played Flipper on television died of stress in his arms. He realized that most of his career as an animal trainer had been a mistake and that dolphins have as much right to freedom as humans. He vowed not to rest until he freed every last dolphin that could be returned to the wild successfully.

This is a true story that will move not only animal lovers but everyone who loves a well-told tale. Ric O'Barry had everything-money, flashy cars, pretty women-but it wasn't enough to keep his conscience at bay. He began to understand that dolphins were easy to train because of their great intelligence, not his great talent, and keeping them in captivity was cruel and morally wrong. While research and entertainment are important to human life, they are not worth the cost to these beautiful and gentle animals.

O'Barry was arrested trying to free a dolphin, but that didn't stop him, and he now devotes his life to untraining dolphins and returning them to their natural habitats. Once the pride of the billion-dollar dolphin captivity industry, he has since become its nemesis.

About this title

About the Author

Richard O'Barry, founder and executive director of Dolphin Project, Inc., is a world-renowned advocate for dolphin freedom. He received the 1991 United Nations Environmental Achievement Award for his accomplishments in dolphin re-adaptation. He lives in Coconut Grove, Florida.

Keith Coulbourn is a mystery writer and former newspaper journalist. He lives in Miami, Florida.

From School Library Journal

YA O'Barry's lifetime involvement with dolphins is the subject of this engaging autobiography. As trainer of the television star, Flipper (who was really five different female dolphins), his skills were crucial to the series' success. In 1970, O'Barry became aware of how his work had often exploited the friendly sea mammals and founded Dolphin Project, Inc., which is dedicated to the rights of dolphins to swim freely, except for purposes of legitimate scientific research. His work in returning dolphins to the wild was recently featured in a National Geographic television special, Back to the Sea. Although the time frame, littered with flashbacks, is sometimes confusing, this book succeeds in expressing O'Barry's deep bond with dolphins and his commitment to their rights. His worldwide adventures should appeal to many readers. Keddy Outlaw, Harris County Public Library, Houston
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Renaissance Books
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 1580631010
• ISBN 13: 9781580631013
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 288