Life in the Wild vs. Life in Captivity
-10%-20% time @ surface NEVER come to shore
-shallow tanks means they are always at the surface
-always moving, even in their sleep
-Swim long distances every day-100’s of miles
-swim in endless circles -legal size for tanks-24x24x6 feet.
-can only swim a few strokes in their pools-monotonous and boring
-Live in pods-family units & bonds last years and lifetimes in the wild
-captivity-impossible to have family units,
-whales and dolphins are among the most complex, social and intelligent animals on the planet
-in captivity-they realize their situation and the severity of it-they need their freedom to be happy
-they are acoustic creatures-use echolocatin or sonar to communicate and hunt
-in wild, they use their sonar to live
-in captivity, the sound waves bounce off walls-drives them insane
Health Consequences of Life in Captivity
-skin problems b/c of high chlorine levels
-killer whales-dorsal fins collapse b/c there is no water support
-monotonous life, no stimulation like the wild
-hand fed by tourists and visitors, not just the designated fish but other food ex. Chips, sandwiches, etc.=obesity, dolphins become grossly deformed and blowholes covered by fat deposits
-the food fed by tourists-unsanitary, food left in sun, contaminated, also feed dolphins foreign objects ex. Sunglasses, barrettes, pacifiers, coins = gastrointestinal blockage, poisoning, or death.
-tanks full of chemicals and bacteria=blindness & skin problems
-in captivity-dies of pneumonia
-in wild-dolphins live 40 yrs, orcas-90 yrs. In captivity-teens
-unnatural breeding environment=low birthrates
The Stress of Capture and Stress of Life Captivity
-herd toward shore into shallow water by chasing them with motor boats
-ruthlessly separate babies from mothers lasso them and “ride them” to exhaustion then drag them on board.
-violently disrupts social groups-splits up families=unnatural event
-capture stress is severe and sometimes fatal
-act of capture is traumatic and ends their innocent joyous behavior
-high mortality rates and stress-related causes of death in mammals in captivity
-loud environment-music, fireworks, screaming kids causes stress.
-In wild, dolphins can escape stressful situations, here they are contained=unnatural levels of aggression
-dolphins bang their heads against the walls of the tanks b/c they are so stressed
-mammals are given tranquilizers and anti-depressants to calm them
-teeth problems-grind down teeth by chewing sides of pool b/c of boredom
-the stress leads to ulcers
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Pink Highlights
CRS Report for Congress:
(Patricia Lawson)
Patricia Lawson, Eugene Buck. Marine Mammals in Captivity: Back. Washindton: Nation COuncil , 1997.
Marine Mammals in Captivity: Background and Management Issues in the United States
Patricia Lawson, Intern & Eugene H. Buck, Senior Analyst May 5, 1997
Pg1
National Council for Science and the Environment
1725 K Street, Suite 212 - Washington, DC 20006
202-530-5810 -
Blue Highlights
The Plight of Marine Mammals
In Defense of Animals
3010 Kerner Blvd, San Rafael,
California 94901
Elliot M. Katz, DVM
Yellow Highlights
The Case Against Dolphins and Whales in Captivity
WDCS Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society
Brookfield House
38 St. Paul Street
Portland, OR
Linda Shaw