Baltimore's dolphin population may be moving from the city, but one lifetime resident is encouraged by the increased freedom for the mammals.
Eric Porter, 60, said the dolphins should be able to go where they can thrive. He supports Tuesday's news that National Aquarium officials would move dolphins from their home on Pier 4 to an oceanside sanctuary -- a first-of-its kind facility to be located somewhere near the Caribbean.
"Dolphins naturally come from the ocean," he said. "[They] have personality."
The aquarium opened 35 years ago, and the Marine Mammal Pavilion opened 25 years ago. By 2020, the aquarium plans to relocate its colony of eight Atlantic Bottlenose dolphins to the planed sanctuary.
Baltimore's aquarium draws 1.3 million visitors a year.
Ruth Greene called the exhibit a "major attraction," and an annual trip for her students when she worked for Baltimore City Public Schools. The elementary school children loved seeing the animals up close, she said.
She wondered whether the move was too late for the dolphins. "I understand their rationale [for moving] but I wonder what effect having the dolphins there all these years had on them."
Aquariums are never big enough for large mammals, such as dolphins or whales, said Valerie Chaussonnet, who was visiting from Texas. "I think the dolphins should be in the sea, not an exhibit," she said.
While disappointed, Lee Murray said the oceanside sanctuary offers the National Aquarium a chance to spread knowledge, expand its reach and promote sustainability.
"It's a good move for the well being of the animals," he said. "I could see it being a base of operations for beach clean up."
Murray took his 6-year-old daughter to the aquarium Tuesday and would return regardless of the dolphin exhibit.
The empty space should be filled with something unique, he said. "Hopefully, they fill it with something a child may not be able to see."
David and Nancy Daugherty, visiting from Michigan, said they would like to see a conservation exhibit at the aquarium.
One family on their way to the attraction said they would be interested in learning more about the history of the Inner Harbor.
David Gertel, a 10-year city resident, said he would like to see a crayfish exhibit.