A CRUMBLING CASE FOR CETACEAN CAPTIVITY?

Beluga whales often swim in shallow waters at depths that barely cover their bodies. In general
they are not thought of as deep diving marine mammals, but they are capable of making deep
dives and staying under water for as long as 15 minutes. xxviii
This statement is outdated. Beluga whales are now considered to be deep-diving animals. According to
one recently published study concerning Russian Chukchi Sea belugas,
“Shallow” diving behavior was characterized by dives mostly 50 m in depth…The depths to
which belugas most commonly dive in Barrow Canyon and along the Beaufort shelf break
(200 – 300 m) correspond to the boundary where colder Pacific water overlies warmer
Atlantic water, which is probably where Arctic cod (Boreogadus saida) are most dense.
Diving depths within the Arctic Basin suggest that belugas are foraging mostly within the
warm layer of Atlantic Water (~200 – 1000 m). xxix
Another investigation indicated that belugas regularly dove to depths between 20 – 300+ meters, xxx
and other diving behaviour studies also refute the suggestion that belugas do not routinely dive deep.
On the killer whale page, ML states,
It is believed that the killer whales [sic] may live for up to 50 years. xxxi
This statement is misleading. In fact, killer whale longevity was calculated over 20 years ago in a
ground-breaking study and while it is true that females have a mean life expectancy of 50 years, their
maximum estimated life span is 80-90 years, or perhaps even more. xxxii Maximum estimated longevity
for males is estimated at 60-70 years. Interestingly, the on-site graphic in Friendship Cove indicates the
correct longevity information for killer whales.
The observed animal shows indicate that visitors are receiving primarily ‘fun fact’-based information
that is readily available through a multitude of other media. The on-site graphics provide mostly basic
information and do not substantively discuss the range of conservation threats that killer whales,
belugas and dolphins face. ML’s online information needs revision to correct inaccuracies and to
properly reflect current knowledge.
It is worth noting that basic and even advanced technical information about cetaceans is easily
available online and in a variety of other media and is not dependent on the keeping of live cetaceans
in captivity.
Concluding Comments
Does the keeping of cetaceans in captivity at the VA and ML result in substantive conservation research
and education benefits? While some research studies have been conducted at both facilities, the
output of research papers in which captive cetaceans are the study subjects seems relatively low and,
as the citation analysis suggests, with one possible exception, impacts do not appear to be substantive.
As well, the educational benefit of cetaceans in captivity at both facilities is not substantiated by our
review.
A Crumbling Case for Cetacean Captivity? 16