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

In August 1967, Marineland of the Pacific released Bimbo, its pilot whale, after
nearly eight years in captivity. The release followed incidents of aggression toward
other animals and keepers; the whale had also broken observation windows. Dr. M.E.
Webber, a physician with an interest in whale and dolphin research, described Bimbo
as "psychotic" (cited in Valentry, 1969). Marineland's orca, Corky, broke an
observation window in 1985, resulting in the loss of more than one-third of the tank's
water (personal observation).
Researcher Susan Shane, working both in Texas and Florida, defined the behavioural
flexibility of the species by showing that the intimate patterns of daily dolphin life
vary from place to place. Her co-authored report (et al, 1986) concluded that, "the
largest adult male [is] dominant over all other tank-mates. A less rigid dominance
hierarchy existed between the females, with the largest females dominant over smaller
animals. Much of the time, however, captive colonies have contained adult males
from different capture localities; in these cases the males have fought viciously during
the breeding season, to the extent that most oceanaria now generally maintain a single
adult male per tank. This suggests that dominance relationships may be longestablished
within dolphin groups, with little need for frequent contests."
Sweeney (1990) supported these findings, commenting that "in oceanariums which
acquire several juvenile individuals from the wild, there are frequently
maladjustments experienced in social behaviour (which) most likely occur when
individuals were captured out of separate and individual social groups, and thus were
being asked to establish their own order in new environments."
Dominance has been displayed by captive dolphins in the form of jaw claps, biting,
ramming or tail-slaps against subordinates (Shane et al, 1986). According to Sweeney
(1990), "aggression appears most commonly in the form of intimidation, with
inflictions of rake-bite lacerations to the secondary animal." Sweeney noted that "it
was unusual for adult males to spend much interactive time within the social group.
The situation in captivity, however, creates one basic alteration to this normal
structure: adult males interact permanently with the social group. Frequently, this
interaction results in the establishment of a dominant male individual. It is evident
from many observed interactions in captivity that this male dominance, when present,
is often the source of many social and behavioural problems, especially related to
juveniles within the group."
Marine mammal veterinarian Leslie Dieruaf (1990) explains, "Movement of a marine
mammal from its established environment to one where it has to re-establish itself in a
different social order will stimulate a biological response. The change or the new
surroundings may be perceived as a threat from which the animal cannot escape."
Trainers Gail Laule & Tim Desmond (1991) reflected: "Consider the impact of
moving animals between social units. Transporting animals from one pool to another,
or one continent to another, has become a relatively safe procedure. But what are the
social and psychological consequences of moving animals from one social grouping
to another? Undoubtedly, it puts pressure and stress on the relocated animal, as well
as upon the social groups affected, which have lost or gained one or more individuals.
What is the price they pay? It is time to ask that question and look hard for the
answer."
18