Special Issue Survey of Cetaceans in Captive Care

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336 CouquiaudFigure 5.27. Beach in semi-natural facilityhave a low wall limiting this ledge, 0.6 to 1.0 min height, or a physical barrier made of rocks orother materials to prevent dolphins from slidingout of the water and getting stranded for extensiveperiods which potentially could cause dehydrationand overheating. Several surveyed facilities havereported that dolphin calves have been trapped indrains or recesses and have been severely injured oreven died. Skimmers and drains should be protectedby grates, and their design and location will notprevent the animal from sliding back into the water(Amundin, 1986; survey). One surveyed facilitysuggests that there be wider areas with a removablebarrier instead because it is sometimes necessary tobring large or heavy equipment close to the water.Figure 5.28. Beach and show stageFigure 5.29. Beach in an artificial facility (Photographfrom B. Mercera)with artificial pools expressed the need to have runningledges around the perimeter of the pool to allowbetter trainer circulation and to provide a variety oftraining stations. Ledges often were reported in thesurvey as being too narrow in existing facilities. Theypreferably will be submerged and of comfortabledimension—at least 1- to 1.5-m wide. The ledgewill be slightly sloped toward the inside of the pool.Animals may jump or be pushed out of the poolswhile engaged in play or aggressive behaviour(Sweeney & Samansky, 1995). It is important toFigure 5.30. Ledge (Photograph from B. Mercera)Underwater Training PlatformAn underwater platform is a very useful featurefor medical examination and husbandry training,especially in facilities with no ledge or beach. Itallows trainers to stand knee-deep to waist-deep inthe water while handling an animal. An underwaterplatform can be a shallow recess, a protrudinglip from the wall, or an extended ledge or beach. Itcan be between 0.8- and 1.2-m deep and minimum1.5-m long by 1.2-m wide.An adjustable underwater platform offers moreversatility in its use—for training as well as husbandrypurposes. This platform can be made ofstainless steel or PVC and have rounded edges. Itis important to maintain it properly to avoid corrosionand slipperiness due to algae, and check themechanism to adjust the level regularly to ensureit is functioning at all times.Training StationTraining stations and their locations vary accordingto the pool design and the climate. In coldweather, trainers tend to avoid contact with water.In tropical regions, however, they may prefer totrain in the water or stand on a beach, an underwaterplatform, or a submerged ledge. When not inthe water, various training positions may be used.
5. Architectural Design of Pools and Enclosures 337cover it with no-slip material to prevent accidentswhen trainers stand on it when it is in motion. Asubmerged ledge or underwater step, about 0.8-mdeep and wide, on the side can be included in thedesign. PVC is recommended because it is easier tomaintain than wood or metal. It also can have internalcompartments that can be filled with water, as aballast, to submerge it partially.A training box is another solution to enabletraining at waist level without being in contactwith the water. The box is made of stainless steel,PVC, or fibreglass; installed in the water; andfixed to the pool deck. Edges will be smooth androunded. Water can be evacuated by a pump.Figure 5.31. Adjustable underwater platformFigure 5.33. Training platform in natural facilityFigure 5.32. Underwater training platformTrainers usually stand on the pool’s edge or aplatform, but when the pool deck is higher thanthe water level, trainers have to sit on the edge ofthe pool or kneel and bend down uncomfortablyto reach the animal. A more comfortable trainingposition is to stand behind a waist-high wall orglass panel so that the trainer can reach the animaleasily without bending down. This position is notsplash proof though. If the level of the water in thepool is flush with the pool deck level, a drop of theground level adjacent to the pool, or a “pit,” wouldallow this position as well.Floating platforms offer the advantage of followingthe tidal action in natural enclosures or the waveaction created by the animals in pools. Since it is notintended to act as a slide-out area, it is preferable toFigure 5.34. Floating platform with ballast systemFigure 5.35. Training box (Photograph from G. Tizzi)
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Aquatic Mammals 2005, 31(3), 279-28
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Aquatic Mammals 2005, 31(3), 283-28
Page 9 and 10: 1. Introduction 285of Architecture,
Page 11 and 12: on the physiology, behavior, and he
Page 13 and 14: 2. Whales, Dolphins, and Porpoises:
Page 35 and 36: Aquatic Mammals 2005, 31(3), 311-31
Page 37 and 38: 3. Survey of International Cetacean
Page 45 and 46: 4. Types and Functions of Pools and
Page 47 and 48: 4. Types and Functions of Pools and
Page 49 and 50: welfare: Marine mammals (9 CFR Part
Page 51 and 52: 5. Architectural Design of Pools an
Page 59: 5. Architectural Design of Pools an
Page 77 and 78: 6. Life Support Systems 353sometime
Page 79 and 80: 6. Life Support Systems 355al., 199
Page 81 and 82: 6. Life Support Systems 357from coa
Page 83 and 84: 6. Life Support Systems 359antimicr
Page 85 and 86: 6. Life Support Systems 361contact
Page 87 and 88: 6. Life Support Systems 363Dierauf,
Page 89 and 90: 7. Food and Fish House 365in its se
Page 91 and 92: 7. Food and Fish House 367establish
Page 93 and 94: 7. Food and Fish House 369Figure 7.
Page 97 and 98: 8. Husbandry 373Figure 8.3. Milk sa
Page 99 and 100: 8. Husbandry 375reintroducing a new
Page 101 and 102: 8. Husbandry 377Rescue and Rehabili
Page 103 and 104: 8. Husbandry 379Appendix II include
Page 105 and 106: 8. Husbandry 381& R. J. Harrison (E
Page 107 and 108: Appendix 383Dolphinarium YaltaDolph
Page 109: Appendix 385Aomori Prefectural Asam
Page 113:
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Special Issue Survey of Cetaceans in Captive Care

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