I am mainly for but a little bit against keeping orcas and dolphins in captivity. I believe keeping these cetaceans in captivity is only for the facilities that are well-managed and fit to do so. For me, if it wasn't for captivity, I would have never gotten to see a bottlenose dolphin up close and personal. I saw a bottlenose dolphin for the very first time at Florida's Gulfarium, which is in my opinion one of the best facilities keeping dolphins. Gulfarium has 6 bottlenose dolphins of which 3 were born in captivity. Here, the bottlenose dolphins are really happy and definitely enjoying performing for people. They have never been forced to perform in any way at all. One dolphin named Princess has lived at the Gulfarium for more than 20 years! That is an incredibly long time compared to some facilities where dolphins live for only a few years.
I support Sea World all the way. It is one of the best facilities keeping captive orcas. However, there are a few facilities I am disgusted with. Miami Seaquarium is one example. This place keeps Lolita in the tiniest tank in North America. I have a feeling Lolita will continue to suffer if she isn't moved to a better facility or released into the wild. Some of the marine parks in Japan disgust me as well. The only marine park in Japan that is fit to keep captive orcas is Kamogawa Sea World. The others aren't fit to keep captive orcas and should be closed down or get new management.
I don't want any more orcas to be caught from the wild. For the orcas that were captured, only one could be considered great candidates for rehabilitation and release. Lolita is that orca because her family is very well known, and she would probably have little trouble readapting to life in her pod. Keiko might be a good candidate for release. However, he has been in captivity nearly all his life, and not a lot is known about Icelandic orcas. Keiko has made progress in trying to become wild, but his bond with humans has made it very difficult for him to go free. As for Corky, she is not a good candidate for reintroduction into the wild. Unlike Lolita and Keiko, Corky has lived with orcas all her captive life. She has never been without an orca companion. Even when Orky died in 1988, Corky found a companion in Orkid, his daughter. Also, Corky is real close to Orkid and Sumar. They are here adopted family. Taking her away from Orkid and Sumar and putting her into a holding pen in a bay would cause great stress for her. It would be like taking her away from her family all over again.
Overall, I support keeping orcas and dolphins in captivity although I am a little against it because of some sick facilities like Miami Seaquarium. Many facilities are well-managed and educate the public pretty good about these animals. Orcas and dolphins can adapt to life in captivity if treated right and given lots of love and care.
ashmpote@mars.utm.edu |
