The Nation: Escape of the Dolphins

Big tanks to frolic in, lots of fresh fish to eat, two friendly keepers—what more could a couple of 350-lb. female Atlantic bottlenosed dolphins want? Well, maybe the freedom of the seas. At least that was the thinking of their nighttime caretakers, both former University of Hawaii students who five weeks ago let the dolphins, named Kea and Puka, escape into the Pacific from the Kewalo Basin Marine Research Facility of the University of Hawaii. The two men, Steve Sipman, 26, and Ken LeVasseur, 26, argued that the dolphins were "slaves" that were "undergoing remorseless experiments."

Now everyone has lost. The Oahu...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!