Two animals from Dolphin Quest are to be moved to a Las Vegas hotel.

The two male dolphins, Somers and Nimbus, are to be moved to the MGM Mirage Resort within the next year, as part of a 'breeding loan'.

Christine Mihelcic, manager of Dolphin Quest Bermuda, told The Royal Gazette: "The Mirage has been awarded a permit to move two of Dolphin Quest Bermuda's male dolphins to the Mirage within the next year.

"A transport date has not been scheduled. They are there on a contract for a breeding loan Dolphin Quest retains ownership of the dolphins."

Ms Mihelcic said: "Moving animals between marine parks is an important part of animal health, genetics and population dynamics."

A few years ago dolphins Khyber and Malabar were moved to the Living Seas aquarium in Florida. The animals are shipped by air on a chartered plane in wet carriers.

Ms Mihelcic said she was not aware of any costs involved and for how long the dolphins would remain in Las Vegas.

She said both Dolphin Quest and the MGM Mirage Dolphin Habitat complied with strict regulations set by the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums.

Ms Mihelcic added she was aware of criticism of the Mirage's Siegfried and Roy's Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat following the death of a two-year-old dolphin, Sgt. Pepper, in June.

The animal died of a lung infection and was the 14th dolphin to die at the Mirage since the attraction opened in 1990.

Ms Mihelcic said yesterday: "We are aware the Mirage is currently evaluating the loss of their young dolphin in June. We know the professional care staff at the Mirage and respect their dedication. We want to ensure the best for our animals as well."

She said Somers and Nimbus, aged nine and eight, could eventually be moved to other marine parks in the US or even back to Bermuda. There are currently 11 animals at Dolphin Quest, two of which are owned by the Chicago Zoological Society. The Bermuda Government has stipulated a maximum 12 at the Dockyard facility.

Ms Mihelcic said she was aware of potential criticism of the move following the money spent on 'dolphin mitigation'.

"Dolphin Quest is not going anywhere," she said. "We continue to have the three dolphins who were born here two years ago. The moving of these two animals is part of our larger animal management plan and we don't want to exceed the Government's limit of 12. We want to make sure our animals are safe."

According to Government figures, the costs of 'dolphin mitigation' during construction of the second cruise ship pier was more than $10 million.

The Mirage applied to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Marine Fisheries Service in April to import two captive Atlantic bottlenose dolphins from Bermuda for breeding purposes.

Animal rights organisations Born Free USA and the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) filed a complaint, claiming the relocation of dolphins from Bermuda to the desert climate of Southern Nevada could cause acute stress.

Yvette Monet, MGM Mirage spokeswoman, said yesterday: "The expert staff of veterinarians and marine biologists who work at the Dolphin Habitat demonstrate every day that they provide the best possible care for our animals.

"That fact was confirmed just two months ago when agents of the US Department of Agriculture conducted the agency's most recent annual review of The Mirage Dolphin Habitat, and the results of their inspection determined the Habitat is in full compliance with all federal regulations."