SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) – An exhibit that lets people swim with dolphins, angering animal rights activists, is set to open in Arizona this weekend.
Dolphinaris Arizona is believed to be the first newly constructed dolphin facility in the U.S. in a decade.
It comes at a time when marine parks have been scaling back similar exhibits.
Situated in the Phoenix suburb of Scottsdale, the facility houses five bottlenose dolphins that were all born in captivity.
They will be part of experiences that range from people kissing dolphins to helping their trainers.
Animal rights advocates say these types of exhibits should be a thing of the past and that dolphins do not belong in the desert.
Dolphinaris officials say the dolphins will be in cool enough water even on the warmest day.