Captive Cetaceans: A Handbook for Campaigners - Whale and ...

SECTION 3
Confinement..
More consideration must be given to housing aquatic species than terrestrial species, due
to their unique social and physiological requirements. The enormity and diversity of their
natural habitat is in stark contrast to the alien, minuscule confines of captivity. Although
subtle and less visible, the greatest abuse suffered by captive cetaceans lies in
confinement itself. Free-living cetaceans live in three-dimensional surroundings. They are
capable of deep diving, and many species spend less than 20% of their time at the water's
surface. In their natural environment, they are almost always in motion, even while
resting. They maintain complex societies, form strong bonds, and are known to
communicate with each other. Captives are torn from their natural social environment,
deprived of their need to associate with their own kind and sentenced to a lifetime of
confinement. Captivity defies, depresses, and denies the instincts which define each
animal: the captive bears scant resemblance to its wild counterpart.
Professionals within the zoological community have suggested general criteria for care,
maintenance, and welfare which appear impossible to achieve when applied to the
confinement of cetaceans. Representatives of Zoo Atlanta recommended the following:
"The goal of care and maintenance should be to provide every animal in the collection
with an environment that optimises health and welfare. In addition to satisfying
physiological needs, this should include a living environment that offers speciesappropriate
stimulation and a social environment that provides a species-representative
group...In a successful zoo environment, the animals experience well-being, which would
include physical health that is equal to or better than that experienced in the wild, with
corresponding longevity and quality of life; reproduction success (if intended); and
species-typical levels of behaviour. Abnormal behaviour should be absent or rare" (Maple
et al, cited in Norton et al, 1995). Philosopher and author Dale Jamieson concluded "the
acceptability of keeping animals in captivity would turn entirely on a case-by-case
examination of the conditions under which various animals are kept" (cited in Norton et
al, 1995).
San Francisco University biology professor Hal Markowitz (1990) has written , "I know
of no marine mammals kept in captivity in natural conditions. As a matter of fact, there is
an inherent contradiction in using the term natural to refer to captive circumstances."
Maple (et al) added, "Managers of captive species should never fool themselves with the
belief that they can replicate nature in a captive setting. To expect this outcome would
demonstrate an ignorance of the intricacies and complexities that characterise natural
ecosystems" (cited in Norton et al, 1995). Veterinarian Jay Sweeney (1990) has written,
"Husbandry problems of marine mammals in captivity often come directly from
exhibiting animals in enclosed environments" (emphasis added).
• Scientists still consider some species particularly unsuited for confinement:
• "Some of the smaller, active cetaceans, such as Dall's porpoise, harbour porpoise,
the freshwater Sotalia, and seemingly all the pelagic species require more space."
Joseph Geraci (1986).
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