SANTO DOMINGO.- The company Parques Tropicales said it imported four dolphins from Cuba in adherence to all the requirements Dominican regulations and the International Convention on the Commerce of Threatened Wild Fauna and Flora Species (CITES) establish.

It said the animals arrived with all required documents, permits from the country of origin (Cuba) and destination (DR), veterinary and fito-sanitary certification, customs origin, certificates, Civil Aviation permits, etc., and received in the airport by the authorities in charge.

"This company made an regular import with the authorization of the CITES local authority, with its import permits and through an authorized airport," says Parques Tropicales in a statement, in response to media reports on the case going to the Environment Prosecutor’s Office.

The company, based in Punta Cana, said it operates the first open ocean dolphin facility in the region. It said the Environment Ministry’s National Wild Life and Biodiversity Department authorized the import of six dolphins on June 21, 2004.

It adds that the 4 dolphins are currently under the Customs Agency and Livestock Department quarantine.