Just because a dolphin has a smile on its face doesn’t mean it’s happy. In fact, dolphins in captivity are among the most stressed creatures around, an expert claimed in Nassau yesterday.<\/P><\/p>\n
It’s a point Dr Naomi Rose, a marine mammal specialist, would like to discuss with Atlantis boss Sol Kerzner before he goes ahead with plans to create a big new dolphinarium at his expanding Paradise Island resort.<\/P><\/p>\n
Dr Rose, who works for Humane Society International, based in Washington DC, is in Nassau for two days to talk over marine mammal protection issues with government officials and local environmentalists.<\/P><\/p>\n
Yesterday, she met officials at the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries in the hope that some of her views will find their way into draft legislation.<\/P><\/p>\n
Scientific<\/B>
\nNow her hope is that Mr Kerzner will agree to a face-to-face meeting so that she can explain current scientific thinking on the expanding “swim with dolphins” industry, and its effects on the animals themselves.<\/P><\/p>\n
Ideally, Dr Rose would like Kerzner International to rethink its dolphinarium plans and be “more innovative” by exploiting hi-tech, virtual reality alternatives.<\/P><\/p>\n
She and her environmentalist colleagues are concerned that the spread of dolphinariums in the Caribbean region will have appalling long-term effects on what she regards as probably the sea’s most intelligent and socially aware creatures.<\/P><\/p>\n
“I oppose the expansion of these programmes and would like to see the Bahamas become engaged in this issue at the highest level,” she told The Tribune.<\/P><\/p>\n
Confinement of dolphins was “inherently stressful” for them, she said, because their biology did not make them suitable for captivity.<\/P><\/p>\n
“There are certain species that are not suited to be confined in small spaces,” she added.<\/P><\/p>\n
Evidence suggested that confinement shortened dolphins’ lives, with most dying at around 17 or 18 years instead of the possible lifespan of 30 or 40 years.<\/P><\/p>\n
Although some dolphins bonded with humans while in captivity, it was an “illusion” to imagine they were enjoying themselves. “Anatomically, their mouths curve up like a smile. Inevitably, that has been exploited but the fact is that, because of their high IQ, dolphins are easily bored and that is where their stress comes from.”<\/P><\/p>\n
Dr Rose would like to see “cutting edge, hi-tech” displays replace live animal programmes. Instead of copying its competitors, Atlantis should be more innovative and set a new example, she said.<\/P><\/p>\n
“Most facilities consult experts who tell them what they want to hear,” she said, “I would like decisions to be made on a more informed basis. “I am here to offer information. I would like to make sure that when they make these decisions, they do it with all the information on their files.”<\/P><\/p>\n
Dr Rose said the capture of dolphins was in itself traumatic and often fatal. And, unlike an aquarium for fish, it was impossible to create a dolphin habitat.<\/P><\/p>\n
She likened a dolphinarium to a white collar prison, saying that even with regular food and all creature comforts laid on, intelligent captives could not be happy.<\/P><\/p>\n
With its relatively big brain and much higher IQ than other sea creatures, a dolphin became bored by confinement and its quality of life was much reduced.<\/P><\/p>\n
Like humans, dolphins needed challenges and control over their own lives. While they were probably not facing direct cruelty, their captivity was “inherently problematic”, she said.<\/P><\/p>\n
With “swim with dolphins” programmes spreading through the Caribbean, there would eventually be a saturation of the market. “At some point this will become passe,” she said.<\/P><\/p>\n
“In 10 to 15 years it is going to be disastrous for the dolphins, with local stocks being depleted. And what happens to captured dolphins when they become superfluous?”<\/P><\/p>\n
Dr Rose said new research suggested that dolphin social groups often had “key” figures whose presence was essential to their cohesion. Once these were removed into captivity, the group fell apart.<\/P><\/p>\n
“I would like the Bahamas not to join the queue and copycat what others are doing. I would like them to invest in something significant here and be truly innovative and lead the pack instead of following.<\/P><\/p>\n
“Our focus is on the Caribbean because it is a hotspot for capture and expanding facilities. My long-term aim is to see these animals left in the ocean. I would like to see captivity phased out.”<\/P><\/p>\n
Awareness<\/B>
\nEnvironmentalist Sam Duncombe, who with animal rights activist Jane Mather also attended yesterday’s ministry meeting, said: “We are trying to raise some awareness about the captivity issue in general.<\/P><\/p>\n
“We need to consider the welfare of the animals to a larger degree than is happening right now.”<\/P><\/p>\n
She said the existing Fisheries Act provided some protection for sea creatures, including dolphins, but new laws were needed that were far more comprehensive. “Are we to become a huge dolphin warehouse?” she asked.<\/P><\/p>\n
The “swim with dolphins” business was currently a cash cow with people paying up to $100 a time for a 20-minute swim. “They are shovelling these people through by the truckload,” she said.<\/P><\/p>\n
“I am embarrassed as a Bahamian that we show so little imagination in protecting our wildlife.<\/P><\/p>\n
“We should be looking into preservation long-term. “I can’t believe that, as a leaderin this region, we are following in this regard.”<\/P><\/p>\n
The Tribune<\/B><\/P>
\nOctober 6, 2004<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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