Special Issue Survey of Cetaceans in Captive Care

340 Couquiaudpool, the darker the overall colour will become.Light cream coating colour will create a light,“blue lagoon” effect. A grey concrete colour willgive the water a deep blue hue. The more yellowis incorporated, the greener the effect.Special Features and EquipmentThe various features suggested by surveyed facilitiesor observed in several visited oceanaria thatare presented below can be incorporated in thedesign of a facility to enhance monitoring of theanimals, behavioural observation, training, andmedical care. Research also plays an importantrole in effective conservation programmes andcan be facilitated by adequate equipment and pooldesign (Klinowska & Brown, 1986; Sweeney &Samansky, 1995; see also Chapter 8):• Above and underwater observation areas orobservation room(s) with underwater windowsthat are inaccessible to the public• Computer-connected hydrophones and speakersfor listening and producing sounds underwater for research• Cables and power points for audio-videorecording systems, computers, and communicationsystems (e.g., telephone, Internet, etc.);also need a communication line that links thebelow-water room with pool level• Waterproof electric sockets and accessiblegrooves for concealing cables• Waterproof shelter for equipment, such as computersand ultrasound machines, installed nearthe water• Equipment and supplies storage space• Laboratories (medical, audio-video, data lab, orany other research-specific equipment)Figure 5.42. Media laboratoryChannels and GatesOpenings are cut between pools and in partitionsto allow animals to move from one poolor enclosure to another. Wide openings areimportant since dolphins are reluctant to swimthrough narrow pathways. They will be designedto allow a dolphin or a whale to swim throughcomfortably without feeling scared or restrained.ChannelsChannels should be avoided in the design ofpools. Some facilities have dealt with themwithout much trouble; however, a large majorityhave reported problems associated with channels.Animals would not “gate” or swim throughthe channel; would get injured during a strugglein this restricted space; or, in the case of calves,would require months before daring to swimacross. Channels are sometimes unavoidable toconnect existing pools to a new one. In this case,odd angles should be avoided; and they should beas wide, deep, and short as possible—minimum2.0-m wide, 1.5-m deep, and preferably no longerthan 1.2 m for bottlenose dolphins. No largestructure should cover a channel because animals,especially calves, may be reluctant to swimunderneath it. The survey also indicated that darkcolours in a channel or a pool bottom can make itmore difficult to gate animals than lighter colourbottoms.A tunnel is a feature that must absolutely beavoided in a dolphin pool. Animals are usuallyvery reluctant to swim through tunnels. They canbe dangerous because dolphins can suffocate iftrapped.GatesGates are used to close openings for separationpurposes or to drain a pool. Dolphins andwhales have to be trained to “gate,” to overcometheir reluctance. It can take from one week to sixmonths to train an animal to swim through a gateor a channel, depending on the species, individual,and pool design. The minimum recommendedwidth is 1.5 times the distance between the tip ofextended flippers of the largest animal housed inthe pool.Two kinds of gates are used for connecting orisolating pools and enclosures: (1) watertight and(2) non-watertight. The two predominant aspectsin the design of a gate are the efficiency of itsoperating mechanism and its safety.Gates can slide horizontally or vertically, orswing sideways or up and down. It can be operatedmanually, with or without a winch or ratchetmechanism, electrically, pneumatically, orhydraulically.It is very important for safety reasons thatall automatic gates have mechanisms to prevententrapment or the crushing of animals betweengates and walls or the pool bottom. They shouldhave locks or mechanisms to prevent accidental