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

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SECTION 1 Introducing cetaceans... The cetaceans most likely to be seen at marine parks are various species of whales and dolphins of the suborder odontocetes (toothed whales). The first cetaceans captured for exhibition in North America appear to have been six white whales (belugas) captured from the St. Lawrence River and transported to P.T. Barnum's Museum in New York in 1861 and 1862, of which only one survived transport (Joseph et al, 1990). The species most commonly held in marine parks today is the Atlantic bottlenose dolphin, although the Pacific bottlenose dolphin is also represented in small numbers. Because of unregulated captures before the passage of the U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) in 1972, the number of bottlenose dolphins captured in U.S. waters for the world's marine parks is uncertain. According to the U.S. Marine Mammal Commission, "capture of bottlenose dolphins for purposes of public display and scientific research began early in the 1900s and as many as 1,800 animals appear to have been taken from coastal U.S. waters prior to 1972. Since that time, another 573 animals have been collected from waters off the southeastern United States under permits issued by the National Marine Fisheries Service" (MMC, 1990), totalling some 2,373 Atlantic bottlenose dolphins. No accountability exists for the unknown numbers exported abroad. Additionally, at least 825 individuals of 25 cetacean species are known to have been captured in, or imported into, the United States up to 1994. Stranding networks provided more than 30 known individuals of 10 species, although very few achieved long-term survival. Altogether, in the period up to 1994, more than 3,000 cetaceans, at a conservative estimate, were permanently removed from the wild. Bottlenose dolphins... Bottlenose dolphins are found worldwide, in temperate and tropical waters. More than any other dolphin, the bottlenose forms long-term associations with such widely-differing species as sea turtles, humpback whales, and humans. Most of what we know about the social life of all dolphins is the result of studies of wild bottlenose populations. The Atlantic bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) is the most studied of all dolphins commonly seen at marine parks. They are capable of reaching speeds of 18-22 mph, typically cruising in their natural habitat at 5-7 mph, and regularly dive to depths of 650 feet (198m). Field studies indicate that travelling occupies a significantly greater proportion of time than other activities observed (Shane et al, 1986). Resident coastal bottlenose dolphins appear to maintain a home range which varies in different locales. The bottlenose dolphin has a distinctive "signature whistle" which allows members of a group to identify other individuals. This characteristic call helps a mother to stay in contact with her calf. Dolphin societies are matrilineal, based on kinship from the female line. They appear to form relatively permanent social groups based on sex and age. Typically, calves remain 6
with their mothers for 3 to 6 years (Wells, 1991); female calves are believed to remain close to their mothers for at least part of their lives. Sub-adult females are frequently observed with adult females but may swim with young males. Adult males tend to form strong bonds with one or two other males, which may last up to ten years (Wells, 1991). Maximum life expectancy is believed to be about 40 years, gestation 12 months. Industry sources indicate lifespan at 25-30 years (Sea World, 1989). Pacific white-sided dolphins... Pacific white-sided dolphins (Lagenorhynchus obliquidens ) are pelagic or offshore species, normally found in deep waters in groups of 40 to 1,000 or more in the temperate North Pacific. They travel in congregations that are among the largest of any dolphin species. Sightings have been observed at depths ranging from 328 ft.(100 m) to nearly 1,000 ft.(3000 m) (Stacy & Baird, 1991). Half of the sightings reported in Monterey, California involved associations with other cetacean species, pinnipeds and sea birds. Often called "lags,” they are active animals, which commonly breach, spin and somersault. Offshore, they are avid bow-riders, and inshore, they have been observed surfing in waves. Lags are fast and powerful swimmers that may naturally "porpoise" in unison. During fast swimming, Pacific white-sided dolphins may produce a visible spray of water known as a "roostertail". Little is known of their social dynamics. Adults may reach 7 to 8 ft. (2.1 to 2.4 m) in length, and weigh up to 330 lbs. (150 kg). They attain sexual maturity between six and ten years (Stacey & Baird, 1991). Life expectancy is believed to be about 30 years. Industry sources indicate average longevity at 25 years (Sea World, 1989). Belugas... Belugas, or white whales (Delphinapterus leucas), are found in the Arctic waters of Scandinavia, Greenland, Svalbard, the former Soviet Union, and North America. Those of the western Hudson Bay and Gulf of St. Lawrence have been studied extensively. The St. Lawrence River beluga were designated as endangered in 1983, largely attributable to industrial pollution. Populations in Baffin Island and Ungava Bay are also endangered because of over hunting. Belugas range in size from 6.5 to 16 ft. (2 to 5 m) in length, and can weigh 2,400 lbs. (1,100 kg); males are slightly larger than females. Normally, belugas spend much of there time in or at the water’s surface, seldom diving deep. However research with trained belugas has demonstrated their ability to dive up to deaths exceeding 1640 ft. (800m) (Dye & Davey, 1993). This social animal is rarely found alone, congregating in groups of 5-20, or up to several thousands during summer. Summers are spent in shallow bays and estuaries, and winters in areas of loose pack-ice. Newborn belugas are slate grey in colour and turn a brownish-grey as they get older, finally fading to a pure white at maturity. Their colour isn't consistent, due to the sloughing-off of their skin each year, which often appears yellowish before they moult. Belugas have been nicknamed "sea canaries" for their high-pitched vocalisations. They possess sophisticated echolocation abilities. Belugas lack dorsal fins and, since the neck vertebrae are not fused, they can move their heads with tremendous flexibility. They are 7
Page 1 and 2: Captive Cetaceans: A Handbook for C
Page 3 and 4: APPENDICES A: Cetacean-Free Facilit
Page 8 and 9: graceful, but not particularly fast
Page 10 and 11: SECTION 2 Captivity Capture methods
Page 12 and 13: chronic inactive hepatitis, acute h
Page 14 and 15: Mexico from Texas to northwest Flor
Page 16 and 17: SECTION 3 Confinement.. More consid
Page 18 and 19: In August 1967, Marineland of the P
Page 20 and 21: In early January 1987, Kotar report
Page 22 and 23: age, or to illnesses or injuries th
Page 24 and 25: SECTION 4 Responses to typical pro-
Page 26 and 27: NMFS authorized four facilities to
Page 28 and 29: Response: While many people do visi
Page 30 and 31: ‘It’s not natural’ (given by
Page 32 and 33: catch a few zzz's in the seas, danc
Page 34 and 35: evidence for supposing that captive
Page 36 and 37: population dynamics. Photo-identifi
Page 38 and 39: (like talking about ‘motivation',
Page 40 and 41: SECTION 5 Refuting the myths. The a
Page 42 and 43: Most disturbing is the number of pe
Page 44 and 45: • Zoos have rarely acknowledged p
Page 46 and 47: Aquarium. "The students did not get
Page 48 and 49: species will be increasingly essent
Page 50 and 51: yielded some important findings on
Page 52 and 53: interesting questions about the sys
Page 54 and 55: from the other whales during the bi
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Sea World's 1993 handout, The Facts
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particular animal was subdominant a
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Conclusion... Captive breeding is a
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volunteers of the Whale Rescue Team
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Diego, has said, "We don't have a s
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Recently, the origin of the profess
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strategies is convincing policy mak
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mammal community definitely knows w
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Larry McInerney, who constructed th
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SECTION 8 Alternatives to cetacean
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Despite their continuing insistence
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that human-designed naturalistic en
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discovered that zoos are not, in fa
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Clearly, reintroductions are certai
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Aquarium - was disposed of at sea,
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eceived extensive publicity interna
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Lolita, the oldest surviving captiv
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through a meticulously-planned, gra
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dollars). By 1988, concrete tanks h
Page 95 and 96:
AZA/Alliance. (1993, July 28). Test
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Brumsted, R. (1984, August 1). Lett
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DeMaster, D. & Drevenak, J. (1988).
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Geraci, J. (1986). Introduction and
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Jamieson, D. (1985). Against zoos,
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Marinelife Oceanarium. (undated). F
Page 107 and 108:
(1991). Essay: Looking at captive d
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Rodgers, T. (1997, January 22). You
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(1990). Marine mammal behavioral di
Page 113:
Winston, M.L. (1992, December 28).
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