www.ambiente.us FEBRUARY | FEBRERO 2010
PETA | Dolphins in tanks | Cruel confinement
By Jennifer O'Connor
Scientists at Emory University recently determined that the cognitive capacity of
dolphins is second only to that of humans and that the brain cortex of dolphins has the
same complicated folds associated with human intelligence. A prominent ethicist
believes that dolphins should be given the same moral standing as humans. We know
that dolphins have distinct personalities, can recognize themselves in mirrors and can
think about the future.
Yet dolphins are still captured from the wild to be put on display in aquariums, held
captive in theme parks and used in "swim-with" programs. This must stop.
In their rightful ocean home, dolphins inhabit vast, fascinating and complex worlds.
They establish close, cooperative and long-standing relationships. They live in large,
intricate social groups, swim together in family pods and can cover up to 100 miles a
day. Dolphins communicate with each other through whistles and body language, and
when they are injured or dying, other dolphins will come to their aid, supporting them at
the water's surface so that they can breathe. However, in tanks, their worlds are
reduced to gallons instead of fathoms.
Aquariums and marine theme parks don't
view dolphins and other sea animals as
unique individuals with specific needs and
preferences; animals are considered
interchangeable and replaceable.
PETA | Dolphins in tanks | Cruel confinement
By Jennifer O'Connor
Scientists at Emory University recently determined that the cognitive capacity of
dolphins is second only to that of humans and that the brain cortex of dolphins has the
same complicated folds associated with human intelligence. A prominent ethicist
believes that dolphins should be given the same moral standing as humans. We know
that dolphins have distinct personalities, can recognize themselves in mirrors and can
think about the future.
Yet dolphins are still captured from the wild to be put on display in aquariums, held
captive in theme parks and used in "swim-with" programs. This must stop.
In their rightful ocean home, dolphins inhabit vast, fascinating and complex worlds.
They establish close, cooperative and long-standing relationships. They live in large,
intricate social groups, swim together in family pods and can cover up to 100 miles a
day. Dolphins communicate with each other through whistles and body language, and
when they are injured or dying, other dolphins will come to their aid, supporting them at
the water's surface so that they can breathe. However, in tanks, their worlds are
reduced to gallons instead of fathoms.
Aquariums and marine theme parks don't
view dolphins and other sea animals as
unique individuals with specific needs and
preferences; animals are considered
interchangeable and replaceable.
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SeaWorld, which "owns" most of the captive bottlenose dolphins and orcas in the
U.S., routinely "replaces" animals who die prematurely. For example, SeaWorld has
used more than 50 orcas named Shamu.
One thing that the profitable marine entertainment industry doesn't want the public to
know is that buying a ticket to a marine theme park helps support the slaughter of
dolphins in the wild. Every year, thousands of dolphins are killed in bloody "drive
fisheries" in Japan. While most end up as meat in Japanese supermarkets, each
year, approximately two dozen captured dolphins are sold to marine parks and
"swim-with" programs around the world. The considerable profit from those sales
perpetuates the slaughter.
The vast majority of aquatic animals in captivity are taken from
their ocean homes. From 1995 to 2004, Cuba alone captured
and sold at least 140 bottlenose dolphins to marine "attractions."
The mortality rate for dolphins and other captive marine life is high. Animals have
become sick and have died from contaminated water and stress-related ulcers and
from ingesting key chains, sunglasses and rocks that were tossed into their tanks.
They've died while being treated for common ear and tooth infections. Former dolphin
trainer Ric O'Barry quit the business after the death of Flipper, his favorite "student,"
believing that stress and depression contributed to the dolphin's death.
Because official records are sketchy at best, there is no way of knowing for sure how
many animals die in captivity. But since many gate-drawing animals such as orcas
and bottlenose dolphins are covered by million-dollar insurance policies, even dead
they bring in bucks.
It's time to stop capturing and displaying dolphins for our amusement. These
intelligent, social animals should not lose their freedom just so that we can watch
them perform silly tricks. Families can help keep dolphins, whales and
U.S., routinely "replaces" animals who die prematurely. For example, SeaWorld has
used more than 50 orcas named Shamu.
One thing that the profitable marine entertainment industry doesn't want the public to
know is that buying a ticket to a marine theme park helps support the slaughter of
dolphins in the wild. Every year, thousands of dolphins are killed in bloody "drive
fisheries" in Japan. While most end up as meat in Japanese supermarkets, each
year, approximately two dozen captured dolphins are sold to marine parks and
"swim-with" programs around the world. The considerable profit from those sales
perpetuates the slaughter.
The vast majority of aquatic animals in captivity are taken from
their ocean homes. From 1995 to 2004, Cuba alone captured
and sold at least 140 bottlenose dolphins to marine "attractions."
The mortality rate for dolphins and other captive marine life is high. Animals have
become sick and have died from contaminated water and stress-related ulcers and
from ingesting key chains, sunglasses and rocks that were tossed into their tanks.
They've died while being treated for common ear and tooth infections. Former dolphin
trainer Ric O'Barry quit the business after the death of Flipper, his favorite "student,"
believing that stress and depression contributed to the dolphin's death.
Because official records are sketchy at best, there is no way of knowing for sure how
many animals die in captivity. But since many gate-drawing animals such as orcas
and bottlenose dolphins are covered by million-dollar insurance policies, even dead
they bring in bucks.
It's time to stop capturing and displaying dolphins for our amusement. These
intelligent, social animals should not lose their freedom just so that we can watch
them perform silly tricks. Families can help keep dolphins, whales and
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other aquatic animals in the oceans where they belong by refusing to patronize
aquariums, "swim-with" programs and marine theme parks.
Jennifer O'Connor is an animals in entertainment campaign writer with People for the
Ethical Treatment of Animals, 501 Front St., Norfolk, VA 23510;
www.PETA.org.
Copyright © Peta & AMBIENTE MAGAZINE. Do not reproduce without citing this source.
aquariums, "swim-with" programs and marine theme parks.
Jennifer O'Connor is an animals in entertainment campaign writer with People for the
Ethical Treatment of Animals, 501 Front St., Norfolk, VA 23510;
www.PETA.org.
Copyright © Peta & AMBIENTE MAGAZINE. Do not reproduce without citing this source.
