To the Rescue: An injured dolphin on the shore of Tamarindo, in the northwestern Guanacaste province, was rescued by beachgoers yesterday and flown to Tobias Bolaños International Airport, west of San José. From there it was taken to the Universidad Nacional (UNA) Veterinary School in Heredia, north of San José, for treatment.

In simultaneous operations carried out yesterday in three San José homes, police arrested four young men accused of robbing pedestrians the eastern suburb of San Pedro, San José, Tres Ríos, east of San José, and in the center of Cartago, also east of the capital.

Special Concert
National Symphony Orchestra offers a concert in honor of the Japanese Embassy, performing works by Chopin, Mozart and Ravel with guest soloists Graciela Arguedas (17) and Daniela Navarro (11) 8 p.m., National Theater, San José, Ave. 2, Calle 3/5. Info: 221-5341.

Dance Show
By Teatro Emergencias Interdisciplinary Project, today through Saturday, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 5 p.m.; Teatro de la Danza, National Culture Center (CENAC), San José, Ave. 3/5, Calle 11/15. Info: 221-2154.

By Amanda Roberson
Tico Times Staff | aroberson@ticotimes.net

An injured dolphin on the northwestern beach of Tamarindo yesterday became one of the few members of its species to go airborne after it was rescued by beachgoers and flown by Nature Air to the Central Valley for veterinary treatment.

The dolphin was found in front of Capitán Suizo Hotel at about 6 a.m., said hotel worker Urs Schmid.

“He was disoriented and couldn't swim. If you opened his mouth, you could see a bone sticking through,” Schmid said.

Karla Carvajal, a veterinary student from Universidad Nacional (UNA), together with Tamarindo veterinarian Gilberth Cavallini, examined the animal and determined that it had suffered a trauma that fractured the roof of its mouth.

Schmidt flew with the one-meter-long baby dolphin, which was held in a tub of water, to Tobías Bolaños International Airport in Pavas, west of San José.

“He was pretty calm during the flight, but he got nervous during the take-off and landing,” Schmidt said.

Upon arriving to the airport, the dolphin was immediately transported to UNA's Veterinary School in Heredia, north of San José, for treatment.

At press time, Schmidt told The Tico Times veterinarians were taking blood samples, performing an ultrasound and examining the dolphin to assess the seriousness of its injuries. They were not sure whether the animal would have to undergo an operation.

Public Security Minister Fernando Berrocal and Immigration Director Mario Zamora yesterday presented the Legislative Assembly's Governance Commission with 60 reforms to the Immigration Law that aim to guarantee the respect of human rights and allow immigrants a greater participation in Costa Rican society.

Zamora said the reforms to the Immigration Law would make it the “most modern law in the American continent in terms of immigration,” since it would take into account the opinions of immigrants, the Catholic Church, the government and other social players.

A technical team within the Public Security Ministry consulted these groups to draft reforms to the Immigration Law, which was approved in 2005 during the administration of President Abel Pacheco, with a clause stating the government had eight months to prepare before it took effect (TT, Sept, 8, 2006).

Upon taking office in May of last year, President Oscar Arias and his officials attempted to postpone the law, criticized for its harsh penalties for illegal immigrants, among other things, but the Legislative Assembly did not approve the delay bill in time (TT, Aug. 11, 2006).

Once the new law took effect, the postponement could no longer occur since it would have created a legal void – with the old law now off the books, postponing the new law would have left the country with no immigration policy. Instead, Arias created the technical team to study and propose reforms, a process which culminated yesterday.

Among other changes, the bill would allow foreigners to process paperwork for residency in Costa Rica rather than having to return to the consulates in their respective countries.

Other reforms seek more respect of immigrants' human rights and better training of police officers, especially Border Police.

These reforms will be studied by the commission and, if approved, would then move to the assembly's main floor.

--ACAN-EFE and Tico Times

In simultaneous operations carried out yesterday in three San José homes, police arrested four young men accused of robbing pedestrians the eastern suburb of San Pedro, San José, Tres Ríos, east of San José, and in the center of Cartago, also east of the capital.

Two of those arrested are twin brothers; all are 19 years old. They are suspected to have robbed at least 15 pedestrians.

In one of the homes raided by police yesterday, officials seized receipts from pawn shops showing that cell phones and jewelry had been exchanged for cash. Police are investigating whether these items were stolen.

Additionally, police found two daggers they believe could have been used in an assault in the center of Cartago that left a man badly wounded.