Coalition launches dolphinarium-free Europe call
The world’s leading dolphin experts highlight plight of animals held in European zoos and urge all European nations to phase out dolphin captivity for public entertainment
|
WELFARE CONCERNS
- Restrictive space: The largest captive facilities are a fraction of the size of the natural home ranges of whales, dolphins and porpoises (commonly referred to as cetaceans) (Tyack, 2009). Orcas, for example, may travel as far as 150 kilometres in a day, whilst the largest orca tank in the world is 70 metres long. When denied adequate space, large, wide-ranging carnivores commonly develop problems such as abnormal repetitive behaviour (termed stereotypies) and aggression (Clubb & Mason, 2003).
- Limited social environment: Captive dolphins sharing a pool are often unrelated, from different geographic regions or from different species, which can result in changes to natural group dynamics leading to dominance-related aggression, injuries, illness and even death (Waples & Gales, 2002). In the wild, a majority of cetacean species live in interrelated family groups, or pods. These highly intelligent, social species can be found in aggregations of 100 or more animals.
- Environmental quality and complexity: Captive facilities cannot provide an environment that simulates the complex natural marine environment. Some dolphinaria (e. g, in Belgium, Lithuania, Bulgaria) only provide indoor facilities, without natural light and with possibly insufficient air circulation. Most pools are smooth-sided, small and virtually empty of stimuli (Couquiaud, 2005).
- Noise: Loud music and the regular, repetitive noise of pumps and filters are thought to cause significant stress to captive cetaceans, who are highly dependent on their sense of hearing (Couquiaud, 2005).
- Use of tranquillizers: Diazepam (Valium® and generics) is used by the captive dolphin industry to control stereotypies and anxiety, recognised as common problems in dolphinaria (Knight, 2013).
- Early mortality: Captive bottlenose dolphins may live as long as wild dolphins in the best facilities, but their annual mortality rates are still slightly higher (5.6% vs 3.9%, although this difference is not statistically significant) and in many facilities around the world, significantly higher, as poor quality housing and care contribute to ill health (Small & DeMaster, 1995; Woodley, 1997); orcas, on the other hand, have a significantly higher annual mortality rate in captivity than in the wild wherever they are held (6.2% vs 2.3%) (Small & DeMaster, 1995). Beluga whales appear to live about half as long in captivity as they do in the wild, based on tooth ring analysis (Stewart et al., 2006).
CONSERVATION CONCERNS
- Threats to wild populations: Wild capture of cetaceans for the captive industry continues to be a threat to small, local populations (Reeves et al., 2003; Fisher & Reeves, 2005).
- Non-compliance with EC Zoos Directive: EU Dolphinaria, required to contribute to species conservation, are not undertaking meaningful scientific research to benefit the species in the wild and low breeding success has rendered the captive dolphin population not self-sustaining.
STATUS IN THE EU
- Current numbers in Europe: There are 33 captive facilities keeping an estimated total of 307 individual cetaceans in 15 EU Member States. Spain (11) and Italy (4) host the majority of facilities. Species include bottlenose dolphins (an estimated 281 individuals), orca (12 individuals), harbour porpoise (estimated 11 individuals), beluga whales (two individuals) and one Amazon River dolphin (September 2014).
- EU legislation: Fourteen EU Member States regulate dolphinaria through legislation implementing the EU Zoo Directive, which requires their commitment to species conservation, scientific research, public education and species-specific welfare standards. Five Member States (Belgium, Finland, Italy, Poland and the United Kingdom) have specific legislative standards for the keeping of cetaceans in captivity. The UK’s high standards currently preclude maintaining dolphinaria in the country. Italy has some of the best standards, but these are rarely enforced.
- Dolphinaria-free States: Thirteen Member States do not host dolphinaria. Slovenia, Cyprus and Croatia prohibit the keeping of cetaceans in captivity for commercial purposes, Hungary prohibits dolphin imports, whilst Greece has banned all animal performances.
About Born Free
The Born Free Foundation is a dynamic international wildlife charity, devoted to compassionate conservation and animal welfare. Born Free takes action worldwide to protect threatened species and stop individual animal suffering. Born Free believes wildlife belongs in the wild and works to phase out zoos. We rescue animals from lives of misery in tiny cages and give them lifetime care.
Born Free protects lions, elephants, tigers, gorillas, wolves, polar bears, dolphins, marine turtles and many more species in their natural habitat, working with local communities to help people and wildlife live together without conflict. Our high-profile campaigns change public attitudes, persuade decision-makers and get results. Every year, Born Free helps hundreds of thousands of animals worldwide. For more information about Born Free please visit: www.bornfree.org.uk
blog comments powered by Disqus