
Other News In this section we’ll keep you informed about issues related with cetaceans which actually take place worldwide. The information provided in these notes does not necessary express Fundación Cethus opinion. Captivity as a synonym for slavery As we mentioned in the article published on our website "Killer whales: the dilemma of captivity", Dawn Brancheau, trainer at Sea World in Orlando, Florida, suffered an attack from a killer whale whale which ended with a tragic outcome, adding another case to the several ones that have already happened within this of aquaria. This causes the emergence of an issue of concern for researchers and organizations which have research and conservation as main objectives: captivity. When we talk about captivity, we make reference to animals that live under human being’s care in a controlled environment instead of living in the wild. This is an activity that men have been doing for years in order to obtain some kind of profit, either as entertainment, help or company. In other cases, many species of cetaceans are kept in captivity with the excuse of studying their biology and behavior. Unfortunately, the misinformation of people who visit aquaria or similar facilities, and the false “reading” generated by the information that these places provide, create ignorance about what does captivity cause on captive animals. Much has been described about the impact of captivity on cetaceans. Regarding dolphins in general, they are described as highly social animals that live in the company of other co-specifics in highly organized groups. Although the effects of captures on these animals are not fully understood, many scientists believe that they would be significant. The separation of a group member not only affects the animal that is captured but also the whole group that will suffer the loss of one of its members. Besides that, in many of these captures more animals than those eventually caught are handled, causing stress not only to the captured animal, but also having consequences for the whole group. Then the unfortunate transfer come which is followed by acclimatization and subsequent confinement in small tanks. Ideally these tanks should recreate an environment similar to the wild, which in actually is far from being reflected in most aquaria and water parks. Not less relevance should be given to training, in which the animal is subdued through "persuasion" from the trainer, either by food deprivation or isolation, what experts say could lead the animal to a stress of which it never recovers. According to bibliography, there are various problems described on captive animals, including: continuous medication and clinical controls, exposure to an artificial diet, unusual ambient noise levels, forced proximity to people and other captive animals that can even attack them, etc. Besides, as already mentioned, tanks in which these animals have to live are small, even tiny compared to the large ocean areas inhabited by these species. They have to live in chemically treated water, which may affect their skin causing ulcers and lesions. Confinement in these tanks has also been described to alter one of the most important dolphin’s senses, since in their natural environment dolphins steer by sound which gets limited in the tight spaces where they are forced to live. This deprivation is one of the most damaging aspects of captivity as the sound bounces against the tank’s walls so many times making captive animal become stressed and disorientated. In summary, according to bibliography consulted in this regard, all the aforementioned is reflected in generalized stress, increased aggression, low reproductive rate and reduced life expectancy. For example, in the case of Orcas, 117 out of 135 individuals kept in captivity between 1961 and 2006 had died by 2006, having an average survival rate in captivity of less than 6 years. At least until 2006, there were about 45 Orcas in aquaria, 17 of them were caught for this purpose, and 28 were born in captivity (survivors of a total of 69 births in the specified period). In the wild, males of this species may live an average of 35 years while females 50 years. These data are quite relevant, specially if we take into account that many of these animals are kept in captivity for the sole purpose of entertaining human beings. Fundación Cethus believe that captivity is not a viable option for cetaceans under any pretext, and it is a constant threat for these species which have the right to freedom as we do. Through research campaigns and its subsequent spreading, we promote the conservation of cetaceans so they can be appreciated by all people in their natural habitat and true dimension. Bibliographical sources consulted: Hoyt, E. 1992. The performing Orca – why The Show Must Stop. Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, Bath, UK. Mooney, J. Captive cetaceans: A Handbook for campaigners. (WDCS) Rose, N. and R. Farinato. 2006. The Case Against Marine Mammals in Captivity (3rd Edition). A report for The Humane Society of the United States and the World Society for the Protection of Animals WDCS, 2006. Free Corky Campaign Factsheet. Corky’s Story. Willimas, V. Captive Orcas, “Dying to Entertain You”. Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society,Chippenham, UK. Back to bulletin: Year XII - N°1 - Abril 2010 Copyright ©2010 - Fundación Cethus - All rights reserved

Other News

In this section we’ll keep you informed about issues related with cetaceans which actually take place worldwide. The information provided in these notes does not necessary express Fundación Cethus opinion.

Captivity as a synonym for slavery

As we mentioned in the article published on our website "Killer whales: the dilemma of captivity", Dawn Brancheau, trainer at Sea World in Orlando, Florida, suffered an attack from a killer whale whale which ended with a tragic outcome, adding another case to the several ones that have already happened within this of aquaria. This causes the emergence of an issue of concern for researchers and organizations which have research and conservation as main objectives: captivity.

When we talk about captivity, we make reference to animals that live under human being’s care in a controlled environment instead of living in the wild. This is an activity that men have been doing for years in order to obtain some kind of profit, either as entertainment, help or company. In other cases, many species of cetaceans are kept in captivity with the excuse of studying their biology and behavior.

Unfortunately, the misinformation of people who visit aquaria or similar facilities, and the false “reading” generated by the information that these places provide, create ignorance about what does captivity cause on captive animals.

Much has been described about the impact of captivity on cetaceans. Regarding dolphins in general, they are described as highly social animals that live in the company of other co-specifics in highly organized groups. Although the effects of captures on these animals are not fully understood, many scientists believe that they would be significant. The separation of a group member not only affects the animal that is captured but also the whole group that will suffer the loss of one of its members. Besides that, in many of these captures more animals than those eventually caught are handled, causing stress not only to the captured animal, but also having consequences for the whole group.

Then the unfortunate transfer come which is followed by acclimatization and subsequent confinement in small tanks. Ideally these tanks should recreate an environment similar to the wild, which in actually is far from being reflected in most aquaria and water parks. Not less relevance should be given to training, in which the animal is subdued through "persuasion" from the trainer, either by food deprivation or isolation, what experts say could lead the animal to a stress of which it never recovers.

According to bibliography, there are various problems described on captive animals, including: continuous medication and clinical controls, exposure to an artificial diet, unusual ambient noise levels, forced proximity to people and other captive animals that can even attack them, etc.

Besides, as already mentioned, tanks in which these animals have to live are small, even tiny compared to the large ocean areas inhabited by these species. They have to live in chemically treated water, which may affect their skin causing ulcers and lesions. Confinement in these tanks has also been described to alter one of the most important dolphin’s senses, since in their natural environment dolphins steer by sound which gets limited in the tight spaces where they are forced to live. This deprivation is one of the most damaging aspects of captivity as the sound bounces against the tank’s walls so many times making captive animal become stressed and disorientated.

In summary, according to bibliography consulted in this regard, all the aforementioned is reflected in generalized stress, increased aggression, low reproductive rate and reduced life expectancy.

For example, in the case of Orcas, 117 out of 135 individuals kept in captivity between 1961 and 2006 had died by 2006, having an average survival rate in captivity of less than 6 years. At least until 2006, there were about 45 Orcas in aquaria, 17 of them were caught for this purpose, and 28 were born in captivity (survivors of a total of 69 births in the specified period). In the wild, males of this species may live an average of 35 years while females 50 years. These data are quite relevant, specially if we take into account that many of these animals are kept in captivity for the sole purpose of entertaining human beings.

Fundación Cethus believe that captivity is not a viable option for cetaceans under any pretext, and it is a constant threat for these species which have the right to freedom as we do.

Through research campaigns and its subsequent spreading, we promote the conservation of cetaceans so they can be appreciated by all people in their natural habitat and true dimension.

Bibliographical sources consulted:

Hoyt, E. 1992. The performing Orca – why The Show Must Stop. Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, Bath, UK.
Mooney, J. Captive cetaceans: A Handbook for campaigners. (WDCS)
Rose, N. and R. Farinato. 2006. The Case Against Marine Mammals in Captivity (3rd Edition). A report for The Humane Society of the United States and the World Society for the Protection of Animals
WDCS, 2006. Free Corky Campaign Factsheet. Corky’s Story.
Willimas, V. Captive Orcas, “Dying to Entertain You”. Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society,Chippenham, UK.

Back to bulletin: Year XII - N°1 - Abril 2010