| In a recent article for the BBC, a former dolphin | | | | Swimming with dolphins - can't be bad? |
| trainer from the Japanese town of Taiji - made | | | | Since the 1970s, Dolphin Assisted Therapy (DAT) has |
| infamous by the movie The Cove - gave an account | | | | been endorsed by some "experts" for helping those |
| of her life in the trade. On Taiji's place in the | | | | with disabilities such as autism. Many children have |
| international dolphin trade, she said that foreigners | | | | travelled to Florida and other dolphin hubs in the hope |
| would often come to Taiji to buy dolphins as it was | | | | of finding improvement for their condition but the |
| the only place in the world where they were able to | | | | merits of these therapies have been questioned. |
| buy dolphins so easily. | | | | Animal welfare groups have warned of their dangers |
| The fishermen and the traders of Taiji are | | | | to humans and to dolphins. Dolphins can injure or |
| responsible for subjecting the dolphins to a cruel fate. | | | | drown people and some carry bacteria that can |
| It's death by spear or a lifetime in captivity for the | | | | infect human beings with conditions such as |
| animals. But the captors are not alone in their guilt | | | | brucellosis. |
| because the demand for live dolphins comes from | | | | Recreational swimming with dolphins is still popular in |
| the many captive dolphin outlets throughout the | | | | many parts of the world. In the Caribbean, |
| world. | | | | "dolphinariums" cater to the cruiseship traffic. |
| A lucrative trade | | | | Clearly, a dolphinarium does not allow these animals |
| Captured dolphins make for a lucrative trade for | | | | to behave in a natural or healthy manner. |
| traders, officials and middlemen. Last week, the | | | | The World SPCA outlines some practices dangerous |
| government of the Solomon Islands (who take 25% | | | | to dolphins such as beaching themselves to be |
| revenue in taxes from the sale of each dolphin) | | | | petted and warns against anthropomorphising. |
| made clear that the laws of the nation did not ban | | | | Dolphins behave in human-like ways (with gestures |
| dolphin trading. There are powerful financial incentives | | | | such as waving and nodding) because they are |
| for capturing and selling dolphins in places such as the | | | | hungry and NOT because they are being friendly. |
| Solomons and Japan. | | | | Swimming close to dolphins is great fun - when done |
| Too many people think dolphin shows - where | | | | in THEIR environment in the wild. I've seen grown |
| dolphins perform all sorts of tricks for the | | | | adults moved to tears while snorkelling with a pod of |
| amusement of the audience - are good harmless | | | | dolphins in the Red Sea. It's an experience not to be |
| family fun. They may not be aware of the cruelty | | | | missed. |
| and needless suffering. These same people would be | | | | End the cruelty of captive dolphins |
| horrified at the thought of taking their children to a | | | | Earlier this month, Chris Porter, a marine mammal |
| dog fight or watching an animal torture video. | | | | trainer and trader in New Zealand, set free his last 17 |
| But they look so happy | | | | dolphins, having become disillusioned with the industry |
| The Humane Society of the United States in their | | | | (which enabled him to have a lucrative business). He |
| webpage on marine mammals in captivity states: | | | | claims the death of a whale trainer at Sea World by |
| "Whales and dolphins travel long distances each day, | | | | Tilikum - a Killer Whale he once trained - was the |
| sometimes swimming in a straight line for a hundred | | | | turning point in making his decision. Porter asked: "Are |
| miles, other times remaining in a certain area for | | | | we really educating and providing the best |
| hours or days, moving several miles along a coastline | | | | representation for these animals in an aquarium?" |
| and then turning to retrace their path. These marine | | | | How can you help? Next time someone you know |
| mammals can dive up to several hundred meters and | | | | suggests an afternoon at the dolphin show, give |
| stay underwater for up to half an hour. They spend | | | | them some info. If they truly love these animals, |
| only 10 to 20% of their time at the surface." | | | | they might change their mind. Sign the petitions and |
| A captive dolphin's lifespan is significantly shorter than | | | | do your part; the dolphins need all the help they can |
| that of its wild counterparts. | | | | get. |