By Lauren Beavis
An international wildlife charity is calling for a ‘tank-free’ future for marine animals – as over 3,600 whales, dolphins, and porpoises are still kept in captivity.
Born Free is urging tourists to help end global animal exploitation by not buying tickets to, or visiting, attractions where marine mammals are held captive and forced to perform for crowds of holidaymakers.
Dame Virginia McKenna, Born Free’s Co-Founder and Trustee, said: “Dolphins, whales and porpoises are magical, mysterious creatures, intelligent and perceptive.
“Yet we keep them cooped up in shallow, concrete tanks; in water treated with harsh chemicals, which irritate their eyes and sensitive skin.
“We force them to perform stupid, unnatural tricks, and interact with people.
“And this is meant to be ‘entertainment?’”
Born Free hopes to highlight how the complex, highly intelligent animals suffer physically and mentally in captivity – as whales, dolphins, and porpoises (collectively known as cetaceans) are kept in restrictive, barren, chemically-treated pools and over-crowded tanks,â¯or trapped in shallow sea pens.
They are forced to perform repetitive tricksâ¯and display unnatural behaviors in front of crowds of tourists, often multiple times a day.
Sarah Jefferson, Born Free’s Captivity Campaigns Information Coordinator said: “This cruel, confined existence is unimaginably different to their life in the wild.
“When free, marine mammals live in closely-bonded family groups, often swimming more than 100 miles a dayâ¯and diving to depths of 300 meters.
“Many captive cetaceans are further exploited by being forced to interact with visitors, swim with tourists or pose as ‘props’ for souvenir photos and selfies.”
The harm caused to captive marine mammals may not be immediately evident to holidaymakers, who may only be visiting for a few hours, but animal experts say these animals suffer physically and psychologically in many ways.
These include premature death and reduced resistance to disease.
Animals are being drugged as a way of controlling abnormal behavior caused by boredom and stress.
Physical harm such as tooth trauma from biting and hitting the sides of concrete pools or injuries caused by interaction with trainers and performing tricks.
Injuries from human fingernails and jewelry, and irritation of sensitive skin and eyes from water purposely contaminated by chemicals, and make-up, perfume, and sunscreen.
As well as high infant mortality and reduced survival rates – animals are often forced to breed or subjected to artificial insemination.
Despite the UK being free of captive cetaceans since the early 1990s, more than 300 cetaceans continue to suffer in captivity in the EU alone, the charity reports.
Spain has more than any other European nation, with over a hundred whales, dolphins or porpoises held in confinement.
Just two months ago, former SeaWorld orca, Keto became the fourth whale to die prematurely at Loro Parque, a large zoo and marine park in Tenerife.
A Born free spokesperson said: “Keto’s story of a life of exploitation is known to many around the world after the tragic incident in 2009 when he killed his trainer.
“This disastrous event highlighted the dangers of holding wild animals captive and forcing them to perform…and yet the shows go on.”
To help finally bring this suffering to an end, Born Free is urging the public to back its ‘Tank-Free’ mission, and take some simple steps when booking excursions or on holiday.
From not purchasing tickets to, or visit, dolphin and orca shows or attractions – to not taking part in swim-with, selfie opportunities, and other interactive encounters, and telling tour operators and travel companies who promote and, or, sell captive cetacean activities that these practices need to stop.
However, Born Free emphasises that whilst tourists can influence real change, the responsibility for ending this industry lies with the travel industry and national governments – who they state “must step up and do their part to protect these incredible creatures”.
The charity also wants to see countries commit to “phasing out the keeping of captive cetaceans through the introduction of legislation banning the practice”.
This phase-out would ideally see an end to animal imports, breeding, and a ban on building new, captive facilities.
They urge for any existing captive animals could then be assessed for their suitability for relocation to ‘seaside’ sanctuaries – where they could either receive lifetime care or be rehabilitated for release back to the wild.
Born Free deem this a “wholly realistic vision” which can be achieved if “animal welfare organisations, the public, governments, and the tourism industry work together”.
In 1991, Born Free campaigned to close the UK’s last dolphinariums, which resulted in the rescue of three bottlenose dolphins, Missie and Silver from Brighton Dolphinarium, and Rocky from Morecambe Marineland.
All three were rehabilitated and released back into the wild in the Caribbean.
The UK has remained dolphinaria-free ever since.
Dr. Mark Jones, Born Free’s Head of Policy added: “It is shocking that hundreds of cetaceans are still held in captivity throughout Europe purely for entertainment purposes.
“This travesty must be brought to an end. Keeping dolphins and other marine mammals in captivity, and forcing them to perform unnatural tricks and interactions with tourists, seriously compromises their welfare, while serving no useful conservation or education purpose.
“By continuing to promote visits to captive dolphin venues to their customers, certain travel companies are complicit in the suffering of these highly intelligent and social animals for the sake of entertainment and profit.
“We call on them to do the right thing and to join the increasing number of travel companies that are removing these venues and experiences from their travel offering.”
Born Free has fought for the freedom of whales, dolphins and porpoises for the last 40 years.
