For almost the last two years now I have volunteered at the Vancouver Aquarium. As a volunteer in the interpretive delivery department, I regularly interact with guests in an attempt to get them as stoked about the animals of the Aquarium as I am. During this relatively short period of time, four marine mammals at the Aquarium have passed away: two beluga calves, one sea otter and, four days ago, one pacific white sided dolphin. Each time this happens I feel it is important to reflect upon how we rationalize keeping such creatures in captivity.
Spinnaker the dolphin at the Vancouver Aquarium. Photo by John Lehmann.
In particular, keeping cetaceans (e.g., whales and dolphins) in captivity is a contentious issue. The first cetaceans kept in captivity were a pair of belugas taken off the Labrador coast in 1861 and transported to Barnum’s Museum in New York. Since then many other species can be found in aquariums and zoos throughout the world, including here in Vancouver. We are all familiar with hearing stories of people protesting against keeping whales in captivity. However, last month People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) pushed the envelope even further, attempting to sue SeaWorld over its use of captive killer whales. They claimed that these whales deserve the same constitutional protections as humans, therefore accusing SeaWorld of “enslaving” their five killer whales.
Killer whales at SeaWorld. Photo by SeaWorld San Diego.
While some might see this latest move by PETA as laughable, we should not outright disregard their concerns. In essence, people who believe cetaceans should not be in captivity argue several points: we are unable to adequately care for cetaceans, they are ultimately used to earn money through entertainment, the public is not being educated by their presence in captivity and they are self-aware animals being immorally taken away from their families (pods) and natural habitat.
These are valid concerns, however I believe that the Vancouver Aquarium has a policy which does not needlessly exploit cetaceans. Since 1996, they do not take cetaceans from the wild nor do they take cetaceans from other facilities which have been taken from the wild after 1996. This means that they only accept a) rescued cetaceans deemed by the government as non-releasable or b) cetaceans which have been in captivity so long that they too are non-releasable.
The Aquarium also uses all of its captive cetaceans to do research, such as better understanding dolphin echolocation to hopefully design fishing nets which dolphins can avoid getting caught in. Daily shows featuring these animals provide stimulation for the animals and, more importantly, an opportunity to educate and inspire the public. For example, people used to fear killer whales as much as they do sharks. Largely because of seeing captive specimens, public interest and concern regarding this species has influenced policy makers positively with regard to cetacean conservation.
Pacific white-sided dolphin participating in ecolocation research at the Vancouver Aquarium. Photo by Vancouver Aquarium.
As members of the public it is our responsibility to constantly re-evaluate our reasons for keeping these amazing animals in captivity. Can we adequately provide for them? Is our quest for knowledge through research an abuse of our power as caretakers? Are we exploiting them for entertainment purposes? Does the captivity of these animals serve the public in any way?
It is also the duty of front-line biologists to answer these questions. If the science is ever unable to support our use of these animals, then we must discontinue such needless exploitation.
DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed in this blog are solely those of the author. By no means do they necessarily reflect the views of the Vancouver Aquarium.
Sources:
Animal Planet. “In defence of dolphin captivity at AZA aquariums.” http://animal.discovery.com/tv/blood-dolphins/dolphins/defense-dolphin-captivity.html (accessed March 12, 2012).
Animal Planet. “In opposition to dolphin captivity.” http://animal.discovery.com/tv/blood-dolphins/dolphins/opposition-dolphins-captivity.html (accessed March 12, 2012).
BBC News Online. “SeaWorld sued over ‘enslaved’ killer whales.” http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-16920866 (accessed March 12, 2012).
CBC.ca Online News. “Spinnaker the dolphin dies at Vancouver Aquarium.” http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/story/2012/03/08/bc-vancouver-aquarium-dolphin.html (accessed March 12, 2012).
CKNW Online. “Dolphin vigil decries animals in captivity.” http://www.cknw.com/Channels/Reg/NewsLocal/Story.aspx?ID=1668045 (accessed March 12, 2012).
Mayer, S. A Review of the Scientific Justifications for Maintaining Cetaceans in Captivity. A Report for the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS).Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, UK (1998).
The Lost Museum. “The Whales, New York Tribune, August 9, 1861.” http://chnm.gmu.edu/lostmuseum/lm/190/ (accessed March 12, 2012).
Vancouver Aquarium. “Whales in Aquariums.” http://www.vanaqua.org/learn/aquafacts/the-aquarium/whales-in-aquariums (accessed March 12, 2012).
