Abstract
I began my marine mammal work sixty years ago. Then, marine mammals could be killed, or captured without regard. But some were taken for displays in zoos and aquaria. Never before had many millions of people seen these creatures up close. Seeing these active animals revealed so much of a common core of life that people made deep connections. In 1972, the U. S. Congress found that marine mammals are of great aesthetic, recreational and economic significance1. Keeping delphinoid cetaceans (dolphins, porpoises, belugas, and killer whales) comes with special responsibilities. If the animals are to be ambassadors for their kind, good welfare is essential. Support for rescue, education, and new knowledge are also essential 2,3.4,5. Profit is essential. In turn, profit must provide good welfare. Profit must provide education to show that zoo and aquarium animals are in good care. That story must be true. The story must be told.
The animal rights groups that call for cetaceans from zoos and marine parks to be put away in “sanctuaries” have told a story, that zoo and aquarium animals are suffering. They beat the drum for this story in print and on line! They lobby legislatures. They raise money. They take away from good animal welfare causes and from conservation. In my opinion, their story is a detriment to conservation of wild populations of the world. As oceans are polluted with oil and chemicals and plastics, marine mammals come ashore sick. Where are they helped? Most often by professionals from zoos and aquariums. That story must be true. That story must be told.
The anti-display stance driven home so vehemently by the CNN movie Blackfish, ignores the threats to free-ranging mammals. For example, the most recent world-wide count is that 307,753 cetaceans are drowned in fishing gear each year6. (the count for pinnipeds is even higher). And, surely such deaths are not humane7. The number of these drowned and maimed animals is 100 times the total number kept for display in the entire world. Animal rights activist efforts are misguided and misdirected. Shifting focus to improve the environment and conserve the remaining free-ranging populations is of paramount importance. That story must be told wherever sea mammals are kept.
Delphinoids must be presented so all can appreciate those that are living among us. They should be allowed to engage the public, educate and serve as ambassadors of their kind to millions and millions of people. That story must be true. The story must be told.
Literature Cited
1. Marine Mammal Protection Act, https://www.fws.gov/international/laws-treaties-agreements/us-conservation-laws/marine-mammal-protection-act.html.
2. Lauderdale LK, Walsh MT, Mellen JD, Granger DA, Miller LJ. 2021. Environmental enrichment, training, and habitat characteristics of common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus). Plos one 16, no. 8: e0253688.
3. Miller LJ, Lauderdale LK, Mellen JD, Walsh MT, Granger DA. 2021. Relationships between animal management and habitat characteristics with two potential indicators of welfare for bottlenose dolphins under professional care. Plos one 16, no. 8: e0252861.
4. Lauderdale LK, Mellen JD, Walsh MT, Granger DA, Miller LJ. 2021. Towards understanding the welfare of cetaceans in accredited zoos and aquariums. PloS one 16, no. 8: e0255506.
5. Miller LJ, Lauderdale LK, Bryant JL, Mellen JD, Walsh MT, Granger DA. 2021. Behavioral diversity as a potential positive indicator of animal welfare in bottlenose dolphins. Plos one 16, no. 8: e0253113.
6. Read AJ, Drinker P, Northridge S. 2006. Bycatch of Marine Mammals in U.S. and Global Fisheries. Conservation Biology Volume 20, No. 1, 163–169. DOI: 10.1111/j.1523–1739.2006.00338.x
7. Moore, M. 2021. We Are All Whalers: The Plight of Whales and Our Responsibility. University of Chicago Press. p. 206.