POLL: Should Dolphinariums As Tourist Attractions Be Closed Down?

POLL: Should Dolphinariums As Tourist Attractions Be Closed Down?



Even before construction began on the swim-with-the-dolphins tourist attraction Dolphinaris Arizona, animal advocates were concerned that it was a bad idea. More than 172,000 people have signed a Care2 petition urging the Dolphinaris company not to open the marine park in Scottsdale, where triple-digit summer temperatures can climb over 120 degrees.

As the nonprofit Animal Defense League of Arizona (ADLA) and other groups pointed out, the desert location leaves the dolphins vulnerable to valley fever. This fungal disease can cause potentially fatal respiratory infections in dolphins that have weakened immune systems caused by the stress of being held in captivity.

Studies have shown that dolphins in captivity can become even more stressed when they’re forced to swim and interact with people, as they are at the seven Dolphinarus marine parks.

POLL: Should Dolphinariums As Tourist Attractions Be Closed Down?
Photo credit: Chris Oakley

The stress has led to behavioral abnormalities, illness, and lowered resistance to disease and death, according to Whale and Dolphin Conservation. For these reasons, TripAdvisor did the right thing last year and stopped booking tickets to attractions that allow people to interact with captive wild animals.

And then there’s the fallout from the 2013 documentary “Blackfish,” which helped to raise awareness of what goes on behind the scenes at marine parks. Attendance at SeaWorld plunged after the film’s release.

https://www.facebook.com/dolphinarisarizona/posts/1243161949123527

 

Despite these facts and the concerns of tens of thousands of people, Dolphinaris Arizona opened its doors in October 2016. Tragically, those concerns appear to be well founded: Just 11 months later, a young bottlenose dolphin named Bodie died there.

According to a Dolphinaris Arizona spokesperson, 7-year-old Bodie died Sept. 23 after “experiencing a ‘rare muscle disease’ while living in the open-air pools,” ABC 15 reports. The spokesperson said the park’s veterinary team consulted with experts in the United States and Europe, but couldn’t find a cure for the unnamed disease.

A necropsy showed “the same outcome was inevitable,” according to ABC 15.

BODIE 2010 – 2017I am deeply saddened to inform you guys that Bodie – one of the eight Bottlenoses at Dolphinaris…

Posted by Advocates Against Dolphin Captivity in Arizona on Tuesday, October 24, 2017

 

Immediately after Bodie’s death was announced last week, ADLA, the Animal Welfare Institute and Plea for the Sea launched an investigation. These groups are looking into Bodie’s illness and treatment, and whether other dolphins have gotten sick or died at Dolphinaris Arizona.

“Having participated in grassroots demonstrations opposing Dolphinaris, we realize the public wants and needs to have a clear understanding of the welfare of the remaining dolphins,” Danielle Riley, chairman of Plea for the Sea, said in a statement. “As people become informed of the detriment that these highly intelligent marine mammals suffer in captivity, they are becoming less interested in supporting this inhumane industry.”

Dolphinaris Arizona released the following statement about Bodie’s death:

“Our team at Dolphinaris Arizona will continue its commitment to providing each of our dolphins with the highest standard of care in accordance to the industry’s best practices, as well as federal and international regulations.

“During this difficult time, Dolphinaris Arizona will continue its mission to educate, inspire and empower our guests through interactions with these amazing animals, encouraging guests to become stewards of the oceans and its inhabitants.”

A much better way to become stewards of the oceans and its inhabitants is by not supporting marine parks that profit by forcing captive dolphins to swim with customers. Please sign and share this petition urging Dolphinaris Arizona to close.

This article was first published by Care2.com on 30 Oct 2017.


We invite you to share your opinion whether Dolphinariums as tourist attractions should be closed down? Please vote and leave your comments at the bottom of this page.

Should Dolphinariums as tourist attractions be closed down?

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Editorial Comment: The purpose of this poll is to highlight important wildlife conservation issues and to encourage discussion on ways to stop wildlife crime. By leaving a comment and sharing this post you can help to raise awareness. Thank you for your support.

 

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