Opinions on marine mammals in captivity.

[Airn]

After watching The Cove, no, I'm not really cool with marine parks.

But like everyone else said, it's nice to see them so close and it's not the worst thing that happens.

[milos_mommy]

It depends. With animals like dolphins, belugas, sea lions...I don't think it's impossible for them to be kept properly in captivity. In fact, I think it's probably done with some frequency, around the world. Just like a large, high energy dog breed can be properly kept in an apartment or house with a small yard, if they have the proper stimulation.

I certainly don't think every marine park does this. For example, Seaworld Orlando...I actually went to camp there as a teenager, and worked, and got to see some of things done to stimulate and exercise them that the public might not see. I think they do a pretty good job, but I sort of think they have too many dolphins for the exhibit and the amount of trainers and caretakers they have.

The orcas are a whole different story. No matter how much time they devote to training....the enclosure isn't big enough. You can't "walk" an orca. They don't seem happy to me. I've never seen a wild orca, but in the videos I've seen, they are way more active and playful and frolicky than the orcas at seaworld, who reminds me of caged zoo animals pacing (or swimming) back and forth.

It doesn't bother me enough to boycott the park, because I do think they do a lot of good conservation work, educating the public, and bringing awareness to issues marine animals face.

Basically, I think it's completely situational. I don't believe marine animals can't be kept properly in captivity, but like with any animals, they ARE kept improperly, and I don't think it's particularly easy to build a habitat or maintain the level of care they need.

[Barbara!]

Originally Posted by Fran101

THIS.


but the minimum standards for their care needs to be raised.

Definitely. Who even regulates that?

This is the tank that Tilikum (on the right) spends most of his time in... I mean, c'mon.


http://i.imgur.com/FG0SwoN.png

[Fran101]

Originally Posted by Barbara!

Definitely. Who even regulates that?

This is the tank that Tilikum (on the right) spends most of his time in... I mean, c'mon.


http://i.imgur.com/FG0SwoN.png

zoos/aquariums CAN be certified by the AZA (assoc. of zoos and aquariums) which have their own set of rules/regulations in place.

But the main group responsible is the USDA.

This is Lolita's tank @ Miami seaquarium. No other orcas, just two dolphins as friends and that tank is BEYOND tiny. It's sad

[sillysally]

Proportionally it is recommended that fish be kept in larger tanks than that....

[Fran101]

Originally Posted by sillysally

Proportionally it is recommended that fish be kept in larger tanks than that....

She is one of the oldest living orcas in captivity and have been performing the longest. Which makes the whole situation even more depressing.
They also JUST BUILT a new couple of million dollar swim with the dolphin enclosure.

[Romy]

Originally Posted by Fran101

zoos/aquariums CAN be certified by the AZA (assoc. of zoos and aquariums) which have their own set of rules/regulations in place.

But the main group responsible is the USDA.

This is Lolita's tank @ Miami seaquarium. No other orcas, just two dolphins as friends and that tank is BEYOND tiny. It's sad

That is beyond depressing. It's heartbreaking.

[Barbara!]

That's the reality of these captive animals. ):

[Barbara!]

After a good bit more research, I have decided that I am 100% against cetacean captivity unless for conservation purposes. It's truly awful what SeaWorld and other organizations are doing to these animals.

[Oko]

I'm really disgusted by a lot of what goes on, and I do not think it is right to keep them in captivity. I did enjoy reading Karen Pryor's book 'Lads before the Wind', at least she was honest about how often they get ill and die, and how they weren't really happy in captivity. They did their shows to fund the research her husband was doing, and it was way back when. Just makes me sad, really.