It's called Dolphin City. Only, it doesn't have any. India's first marine amusement park near Chennai had three till October last year, when the last one died. Flak flew thick and fast, with allegations by animal rights groups that the promoters, Amusement and Picnic Resorts Pvt Ltd, did what many amusement park owners do worldwide: over-work dolphins to death, this time in three months flat.

These days, two sea lions from the original line-up of marine entertainers fill the gap. And these days, Chairman A.R. Pinheiro is flashing his government permit which allows him to bring in five more dolphins. Pinheiro is building up to erase negative PR by creating some positive PR these days. Recently, the park organised a rally by schoolchildren to promote green values. "We've always been conscientious about preserving the richness of our habitat," he insists. He could try telling that to the dolphins.

-Sarmishta Ramesh