KARACHI, Nov 1: The dancing dolphin shows, which were supposed to commence in the city on Nov 1, have once again been postponed for a couple of weeks owing to security reasons and now these are expected to be held from Nov 15, it emerged on Thursday.

This is the second time the much-publicised dolphin shows have been postponed, as earlier they were scheduled to open on Oct 1 but the construction of swimming pools, where four dolphins and two sea lions are expected to perform, was not completed by then due to rains.

The four Russian dolphins and sea lions belonging to an international Moscow-based Utrish Dolphinarium Ltd company are being brought into the city to perform at the Maritime Museum, PNS Karsaz, by a local entertainment company, Talent Brokers International.

Responding to Dawn queries regarding the postponement, TBI’s Mustafa Kamal said that a defence-related exhibition was being organised at the nearby Expo Centre over the next few days and he had been requested by the security establishment to postpone the dolphin shows till the defence exhibition concludes.

He explained that the dolphin shows, which were to be held along one of the roads that the defence exhibition visitors would be using, were expected to draw huge crowds. It was for this reason that his organization was requested by the security establishment to postpone the dolphin shows.

Mr Kamal said that both the delays — the first caused by rains and the second related to security — were beyond the control of his organisation.

When asked about the pools construction, he said that it was almost complete and the finishing touches were being put and these facilities would be ready within a week or so to host the Russian visitors. He said that four pools were being constructed.

The show pool was 100 feet long, 50 feet wide and 15 feet deep, while three smaller pools would be used as resting areas for the dolphins and the sea lions, he added.

He said that the four dolphins and two sea lions along with their five trainers and handlers would be arriving from Moscow in the second week of November. They would have sufficient time to get acclimatized, he said, adding that the shows were expected to start from Nov 15.

He said that the arena around the pools would accommodate around 4,000 visitors. The ticket would be available for Rs250 for a child and Rs450 for an adult, while special children would be allowed entry free of charge, he said, adding that special shows for children from the Edhi Home and other such organizations would also be organised.