The Issue

Why is it Wrong?

Dying to Entertain

Dolphins, who are fast moving animals, need its space to perform naturally and freely. They cannot do so if they are confined by pools that are miserably small. These tanks are not even close to big enough for these far ranging animals to swim up to 50 miles a day, as they normally do in the wild. By keeping them in tanks, dolphins are very likely to produce stress and psychological problems. Trainers force these dolphins to perform tricks to the public, often withholding food and making them hungry until it is time for their routine. Captive dolphins spend a lot of time in shallow waters, which expose their skin to sunburns. The confinement of dolphins in captivity causes these dolphins to suffer from these psychological and physical problems, making it inhumane and morally wrong to keep these dolphins from enjoying their freedom in the wild.

http://www.wspa-international.org/helping/animalfriendlyliving/captivedolphins.aspx

Take a look at these numbers!

Dolphins in the wild spend approximately 80% of their time deep below the surface exploring the depths of the ocean. Dolphins in captivity, contrasting with dolphins in the wild, spend only 20% of their time under the surface.
At least 50% of the dolphins in captivity will die in less than seven years.
Statistics show that 53% of the dolphins that survive the capturing process will die within the first three months.sho
It has been registered that wild dolphins can travel up to 40 miles every day and are constantly on the move, foraging for food, playing and fighting within their pods. Captive dolphins do not even have the room to travel and move this much!e

http://www.dolphins-world.com/wild-dolphins/ dolphins that survive the capturg process will die within the first three months.

STATISTICS

Human Safety

Can we, as humans, be selfish enough to let dolphins in captivity suffer for the sake of an hour of entertainment? Dolphins are sentient animals who should not be confined in tanks at aquatic parks and forced to perform tricks for the sake of profit and human entertainment. This billion-dollar industry is built in exchange for the suffering of these fun, intelligent, and playful creatures that are denied their natural rights and ability to behave naturally. They die earlier than dolphins in the wild and should not have to suffer for the sake of something as insignificant as entertainment.

http://www.wspa-international.org/helping/animalfriendlyliving/captivedolphins.aspx

There have been many instances in which captive dolphins have imposed injuries on human beings. Programs such as ‘Swim with dolphins’ or ‘Feed the dolphins’ involve human interaction, making safety an issue. Because of the high levels of stress from being in a confined space, these powerful animals are very likely to cause injury, including biting and aggressive motions that can cause broken limbs. Safety measures can be taken by eliminating these programs and freeing these animals from captivity.

http://www.wspa-international.org/helping/animalfriendlyliving/captivedolphins.aspx

Touch tanks and “swim-with” programs allow the public to pet, kiss, or even “ride” dolphins. Such programs invade the animals’ already diminished worlds and are intrusive, dangerous, and stressful for the animals as well as for human participants.Animals in “petting pools” can become injured and anxious as a result of constant poking and prodding, and exposure to bacteria that they are not immune to can make them ill. The dolphins also often express their frustration through aggression. SeaWorld has been cited by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for several instances in which members of the public were injured at the facility’s dolphin-petting pools.

Confinement of Dolphins in Captivity

THE ISSUE

Ethical reasons to consider