Washington, D.C. — Today, the international wildlife charity, Born Free Foundation, and Italian animal protection association, LAV (Lega Anti Vivisezione), present the second in a series of four scientific papers by esteemed scientist and bottlenose dolphin specialist, Dr. Joan Gonzalvo, which severely challenges the argument that it is acceptable to keep marine mammals in captivity.[teaserbreak]
The new research dismantles the idea that the natural life of dolphins can be replicated in captivity. It highlights the five main characteristics of wild dolphins and assesses if those can be met in dolphinaria.
In the scientific paper, entitled What About Dolphins in Captivity?, Dr. Gonzalvo argues that dolphins should not be kept in captivity because they are intelligent, cognitive animals who have good memory, self-awareness, and are capable of problem solving. He also argues that they have psychological and emotional sensitivity with, for example, the capacity to grieve.
Dr. Joan Gonzalvo said: “I invite those considering visiting a dolphinarium with their children to think twice about the message we want to give to future generations. Do we have any right to hold a highly evolved, intelligent, and sensitive animal captive, to force it to conduct a rather clownish behavior by performing tricks and stunts for our entertainment? If that is the case, we should seriously review our concept of what is entertaining and the kind of relationship that we want to have with nature. Let’s make people conscious about what is hidden behind the frozen smile of a captive dolphin.”
Dr. Gonzalvo, who, over the last 15 years, has spent more than 1,000 hours observing dolphin groups in their natural environment, also points out that the small concrete tanks dolphins have to endure in captivity do not compare to the wild, where dolphins are highly mobile, fast-moving, and deep-diving mammals who often travel hundreds, and sometimes thousands, of miles. They also form complex social networks—unlike in captivity, where they are forced into artificial social groupings determined by humans.
He also argues that the continued defense of the captive industry that dolphin shows serve a necessary educational and conservation purpose is simply not true. This argument was also put forward in Dr. Gonzalvo’s first scientific paper, Review of Dolphin Shows at Italian Dolphinaria, published in Italy in May this year. That study examined footage from nine dolphin shows recorded in five Italian dolphinaria between 2012 and 2014 to assess their value in increasing visitor awareness of and interest in cetaceans, and dolphin conservation. Dr. Gonzalvo found that an average of just 10% of shows provided information on the biology and behavior of cetaceans. No shows included in the study mentioned conservation.
Adam M. Roberts, CEO of the Born Free Foundation, said: “Compassionate conservationists the world over are speaking out against keeping marine mammals in captivity and Dr. Gonzalvo’s research provides ample scientific evidence that they are right to do so. Since the global launch of the film Blackfish, the captivity industry has been crippled by public awareness. Marine mammals belong in the wild, not in concrete tanks; not performing demeaning tricks for gawking onlookers.”
Since its formation in 1984, the Born Free Foundation has campaigned for an end to captive dolphin facilities and succeeded in bringing dolphinaria to an end in the UK. Born Free will continue to challenge and oppose the captivity of cetaceans, lobby for higher standards of protection for the animals housed in existing facilities, and expose malpractice and non-compliance. In the majority of instances, Born Free will seek to work with likeminded NGOs and individuals, as well as industry, to action those goals.
Daniel Turner, Programmes Manager for Captive Animal Policy at the Born Free Foundation, added: “On behalf of the coalition, Dolphinaria-Free Europe, the Born Free Foundation has taken this evidence to the European Parliament, requesting the Committee concerned with the environment considers the future of dolphin captivity for entertainment purposes.”
Links to reports: www.bornfree.org.uk/dolphinaria
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. The Foundation rescues animals from lives of misery in tiny cages and gives them lifetime care. Born Free protects lions, elephants, tigers, gorillas, wolves, polar bears, dolphins, marine turtles, and many more species in their natural habitats, working with local communities to help people and wildlife live together without conflict. The Foundation’s high-profile campaigns change public attitudes, persuade decision-makers, and get results. Every year, Born Free helps hundreds of thousands of animals worldwide. More at www.bornfree.org.uk.
Born Free USA is a global leader in animal welfare and wildlife conservation. Through litigation, legislation, and public education, Born Free USA leads vital campaigns against animals in entertainment, exotic “pets,” trapping and fur, and the destructive international wildlife trade. Born Free USA brings to America the message of “compassionate conservation”—the vision of the U.K.-based Born Free Foundation, established in 1984 by Bill Travers and Virginia McKenna, stars of the iconic film Born Free, along with their son Will Travers. Born Free’s mission is to end suffering of wild animals in captivity, conserve threatened and endangered species, and encourage compassionate conservation globally. More at www.bornfreeusa.org, www.twitter.com/bornfreeusa, and www.facebook.com/bornfreeusa.
Media Contact: Rodi Rosensweig, 203/270-8929, therodicompany@gmail.com