Abstract

Captive marine mammals may face environmental challenges that should be considered when evaluating health concerns and how best to prevent their exposure to potential pathogens, toxins, and environmental stressors.

A changing climate and more frequent and violent storms pose challenges to managing the health of these animals, especially when they are housed entirely outside with no protection from the elements. Dry, dusty environments or nearby construction may pose health risks, especially when there are high wind events. Likewise, toxic vegetation, such as sago palms or oleander, should be avoided in the vicinity of marine mammal pools. High winds could blow seeds or leaves from plants in the area into a pool, which, in turn, could be ingested by the animal causing serious consequences. Additionally, winds and storms may bring dust, fungal elements, and other pathogens to the buildings, shade structures, and surfaces surrounding the pools where the animals live. This, along with bird presence, may cause potentially pathogenic material to collect and then enter the pool or contaminate the air the animals breathe during the first rain or wind of the season or when pressure-washing the areas near the pools. Well-designed shade structures that drain away from the pools and are cleaned regularly to prevent pathogen build-up may help prevent some of the respiratory problems commonly seen in cetaceans.¹

Poor air quality may also be challenging for animals housed in outdoor environments. Smoke from fires has created serious air quality problems, even in areas far from the actual fires themselves. In some areas, air quality has been adversely affected for several weeks at a time. Considerations for protecting the resident animals from these events may help improve the overall health of the collection.

Noise from construction or public events may create a negative environment for the animals, especially for cetaceans. Regular use of hydrophones may help to determine if nearby noise could be contributing to the health issues of the animals. The placement of new noise- or vibration-generating features, such as theme park rides, should be carefully considered in order to protect the well-being of the resident marine mammals. Noise pollution, often generated from rides and highways, should also be considered in the planning phases of the placement of new marine mammal pools.¹

Decorative construction, such as hollow rockwork, may pose problems because the decorative rock elements may heat excessively on sunny days, causing that heat to radiate back into the environment. This may cause areas in the exhibit to become too hot to be comfortable and may force animals to compete for the more desirable spaces.

Strategic shade should always be available in marine mammal enclosures to ensure marine mammals are never forced to look towards the sun when being fed or trained.^1,2

*Presenting author

Literature Cited

1.  Gage LJ, Francis-Floyd R. Environmental Considerations In: Gulland FMD, Dierauf LA, Whitman KL, eds. CRC Handbook of Marine Mammal Medicine. 3rd ed. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press; 2018:757–765.

2.  Colitz CMH, Bailey J, Mejia-Fava J. Cetacean and Pinniped Ophthalmology. In: Gulland FMD, Dierauf LA, Whitman KL, eds. CRC Handbook of Marine Mammal Medicine. 3rd ed. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press; 2018:517–536.