Special Issue Survey of Cetaceans in Captive Care

1. Introduction 285of Architecture, conducted at the NationalUniversity of Singapore (NUS) and funded by anNUS research grant. It was part of the work doneat the new Dolphin Study Group within the TMSI,which conducted research on cetacean local populations,behaviour, acoustics, cognition, and environmentin human care.The objectives of this research project were to(1) identify the various aspects and important featuresof the captive environment and (2) assist theprofessionals involved in the design of facilities,and especially those not directly from the fieldsuch as architects, by pointing-out recurrent mistakesand sharing good design ideas and suggestionsfor improvements of pool design, husbandryfeatures, life support systems, and support facilities.The ultimate goal was to enhance the cetaceanwelfare in human care, the work comfort of theircaretakers, and enrich the visitors’ experience foreducational benefits. The outcome of this researchproject was The Dolphins and Whales CaptiveEnvironment Guidebook, which was published atthe end of 1999 as the research project report forthe TMSI and the NUS.The MethodsTo propose appropriate suggestions, good architecturaldesign and husbandry features, as well asrecurrent deficiencies, had to be identified. Thevarious types of habitat in which animals are keptalso had to be categorised, and the influence of thelocation, climate, and age of the facility, amongother elements, had to be determined. The opinionand advice from many professionals from the fieldhad to be collected.An extensive worldwide survey of existingcetacean facilities was prepared. A computeriseddatabase of cetacean facilities worldwide was compiled,and data from 166 dolphin facilities in 42countries were recorded at that time. A comprehensivequestionnaire on all aspects of the maintenanceof cetaceans was designed to solicit informationfrom institutional directors, curators, veterinarians,trainers, and scientists with experience in the careof cetaceans, such as the following:• Institutions displaying cetaceans around theworld• Animal species, habitat, location, climate,behaviour• Various types of environment and pool functions• Architectural design of pools and enclosures,materials and construction, husbandry features,indoor and outdoor facilities, natural and artificialenvironments, support facilities• Water quality and life support system• Diet, food storage, preparation• Husbandry and population managementThe questionnaire was sent to 157 facilities, and44 responded from 22 countries. Results of thisinternational survey are presented in Chapter 3.Existing regulations and guidelines from variouscountries for the housing of cetaceans werecollected and analysed. The project team visited26 facilities in Asia, North America, Europe, andthe Middle East, supplementing additional dataand enabling the compilation of valuable suggestionsfrom many professionals. The originalguidebook was compiled from all the valuableinformation extracted from the survey, from manyarticles from specialised journals, from personalexperience, and from interviews with professionalsduring many visits to institutions and internationalsymposia.At a time when so many new facilities are beingcreated in the Asia-Pacific region, the MiddleEast, and Central and South America, and whenthe general public is growing more concerned withanimal welfare, I wanted this work to become auseful tool to improve this process. The aim alsowas to bring the various professionals involved to abetter understanding of each other’s language andrequirements, to achieve a high-quality environmentfor the comfort and welfare of the animalsand their caretakers, and to ensure the enjoymentand education of the public.Literature CitedAnonymous. (1979-1984, 1995). Specifications for thehumane handling, care, treatment and transportationof marine mammals (9 CFR, Subpart E, §3.100-118).Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, theAnimal and Plant Health Inspection Service.Anonymous. (1990). Supplement to the Secretary of Statestandards of modern zoo practice: Additional standards forUK cetacean keeping. United Kingdom Secretary of State.Anonymous. (1992). Guidelines for the care, holding andtransport of marine mammals in Queensland (Draft).Queensland, Australia: Queensland Department ofPrimary Industries. 39 pp.Anonymous. (2003). Alliance of Marine Mammal Parksand Aquariums standards and guidelines. Alexandria,VA: AMMPA. Available online: www.ammpa.org.Accessed: 6 July 2005.Anonymous. (2005a). European Association for AquaticMammals (EAAM) website. Available online: www.eaam.org. Accessed: 6 July 2005.Anonymous. (2005b). European Community and WildlifeTrade website. Available online: http://europe.eu.int/comm/environment/cites/home_en.htm. Accessed: 19July 2005.Anonymous. (2005c). International Marine Animal TrainersAssociation (IMATA) website. Available online: www.imata.org. Accessed: July 6, 2005.