There’s a story in Wired about whether dolphins should be kept in captivity. In the confines of an aquarium tank, two dolphins crashed into each other, and one was killed:
The dolphin, a 4-year-old named Nea, died on the afternoon of Sept. 5 at the [Chicago] Brookfield Zoo.
According to a zoo press release, trainers heard ‘a loud pop’ from the pool, apparently the sound of two dolphins colliding. Nobody reported seeing the collision, but it’s thought to have happened in the air as the animals jumped. Nea died minutes later from a fractured skull.
Zoo officials described it as a ‘freak incident,’ ascribing it to typical roughhousing gone awry. But crowding dolphins into small, unnatural environments makes accidents more likely, said Wild Dolphin Project biologist Denise Herzing.
What do you think: should dolphins be kept in captivity?
(When I’m saying should, I’m referring to private decisions for or against a course of action; government need not regulate these activities, although it now does regulate them in countless ways. Private parties are capable of making these decisions wholly part from regulations.)
I’d say yes, as long as they’re treated well, and given activities suitable to their considerable intelligence. Although accidents may happen in captivity, untreated injury or illness is sure to happen in the wild, too. (The National Geographic video embedded above marks dolphin infant mortality at 50%, but I don’t know how that compares to aquarium-born dolphins.)
With dolphins, of course, there’s the question of how sharp they may be, and if one could show that dolphins suffered emotionally from captivity as humans do, I would reconsider my own support for captivity except for limited research purposes (that is, no captivity in water shows, etc.). That showing has not been made, persuasively – dolphins in most aquariums seem happy and active.
I’ve a poll and forum for comments below. The post will remain open until Sunday morning. Comments will be moderated against profanity and trolls; otherwise, have at it.
Set them free!
Dolphins don’t belong inside the small tanks because that’s not enough room to swim. Captivity is against their nature.
John, Dolphins only look happy. That could be tranquilizers to make people think they like their sad, bleak lives in confinement. They deserve freedom just like people do.
More will die outside in oceans than in tanks at Sea world. If people really cared about dolphins they would build more aquariums to save more of them.
Each institution should decide for itself.
You’re right that it should be a private matter, and reputable zoos can handle a few dolphins (after all, how many accidents are there, really?)
Cheers.
Definitely, NO!
Sincerely,
Prince Namor and Aquaman