Skip to content

Green Opinions

Dolphin rehab - just a different kind of cruelty

by Tatiana Henry 08 Dec 2014
Dolphin rehab - just a different kind of cruelty

The bottlenose dolphin is the common species we both encounter and use in “shows”. Many other species are also around, in different parts of the world, and with some endangered, we have to be very careful to protect and rehabilitate them appropriately. image of striped dolphins from the Azores; Credit: © Shutterstock

Earlier this month, SeaWorld made its media rounds after reports that its attendance has dropped in the wake of Blackfish and corresponding activism against captive orcas. Unfortunately for the orca’s beloved relative, the bottlenose dolphin, the feel-good Dolphin Tale film series based on Winter at Clearwater Marine Aquarium has not elicited so much public criticism. While dolphins have certainly been caught up in the captive viewing industry, they have also been ensnared in a more subtly dangerous operation known as captive rehabilitation.

In the context of dolphins, captive rehabilitation is when a stranded or beached dolphin is taken to a permitted rehabilitation facility to receive medical and therapeutic treatment. In most cases, the goal of the facility is to help the dolphin recover from whatever ailment it has, then release it back into the wild. Although rescue efforts are generally well-intentioned, there are several serious problems with using captive rehabilitation for dolphins.

The primary issue is that captive rehabilitation simply does not have a high success rate, and many rehabilitation facilities do not have an amazing output of dolphins back into the wild. This is because the way these facilities care for dolphins is counterintuitive. Studies have shown that the unnatural conditions of captivity cause both emotional and physical distress in dolphins, which are highly emotional, intelligent, and self-aware animals. This stress actually prevents the healing process from occurring, often causing more problems, stalling release, and giving dolphins a poorer quality of life for the duration of their treatment.

Furthermore, a concern raised by Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC) is that some US rehabilitation facilities also have captive display permits that allow them to display their dolphins for public viewing. This is a serious conflict of interest in terms of the dolphins’ welfare because putting them on display can quickly become a way to raise money, offering an incentive for prioritizing the visitors’ comfort and experience over what is best for the animals.

Even without complications, rehabilitation may take months at a time, and some dolphins may never be deemed suitable for release. Forcing these animals to spend months, or potentially their whole lives, in tanks that can never be as healthy and stimulating as their natural environment is simply cruel. The way dolphins are rehabilitated in the United States needs to change.

What dolphins need is a more natural alternative to current captive rehabilitation.

If we are going to continue to use captive rehabilitation facilities for now, they should at least be improved to be more naturalistic. Clearwater Marine Aquarium has planned a future expansion that will benefit their dolphins, however much of the design still caters to human visitors. Facilities really need to limit public access, which would decrease stressful human presence and noise and also open up even more space for tank expansion by eliminating public viewing areas. Webcams could be used to maintain a supportive audience without being intrusive.

However, the most effective improvement for rehabilitation would be to use sea pens, which are sectioned off coves and bays. Endorsed by Richard O’Barry, who is a marine mammal specialist at Earth Island Institute and was featured in The Cove, sea pens allow dolphins to live in small groups together and practice natural behaviors that are vital for a successful return to the ocean while still being monitored and cared for. Perhaps captive rehabilitation facilities could develop plans to feasibly phase out indoor enclosures over time, keeping some around for initial medical treatment and for rehabilitation of smaller animals. Perhaps, to achieve this goal, marine facilities with millions of dollars could focus their spending on creating effective and humane spaces for dolphins.

With all of this in mind, I encourage you to be a more critical supporter of dolphin rescue efforts. Many rehabilitation facilities advertise the educational benefits of captive viewing to justify keeping their dolphins inside and on display. But, honestly, if we need to see a wild animal in a glass box in order to care about it, we have a bigger problem to contend with. We must remember that we decide to remove dolphins from the wild to help them, so it is our duty to do our best for them. Improving rehabilitation procedures and facilities would give dolphins a better quality of life during treatment, and more of them would get a second chance at a joyful life in the ocean, which is what we should ultimately want for them

For more on dolphin stories, take a look at these various delphinic discoveries.


Trending Eco-Friendly Clothing

Love My Planet Women's Relaxed Fit Hoodie
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Love My Planet Women's Relaxed Fit Hoodie
Love My Planet women's eco-friendly relaxed fit hoodieSize Guide Centimeters 8 10 12 14 16 18 Bust 84 88 92 97 103 108 Waist 66 70 75 80 85 91 Hips 91 95 99 104 109 116 Bust: Measure around the fullest part of...
£38.00
£38.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Penguins Hate Push-Ups Men's Pullover Hoodie
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Penguins Hate Push-Ups Men's Pullover Hoodie
Penguins Hate Push-Ups men's eco-friendly pullover HoodieSize Guide Centimeters XS S M L XL XXL Height 171 175 179 183 189 195 Chest 86 93 99 104 116 129 Waist 71 76 81 89 99 112 Chest: Measure all round your chest just below...
£38.00
£38.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Lightning Bolt Kids Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Lightning Bolt Kids Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Lightning Bolt kids eco-friendly long sleeve t-shirtSize Guide Centimeters 3-4yrs 5-6yrs 7-8yrs 9-10yrs 11-12yrs Height 98 112 125 136 147 Chest 60 66 70 75 84 Chest: Measure all around your chest just below your armpits. Height: Your natural height If you fall between...
£18.00
£18.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Union Jack Tote Bag
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Union Jack Tote Bag
Union Jack eco-friendly colour tote bagProduct Specification Organic Cotton Tote Bag. Twill Weave (170gsm). 37 x 42 cm (7cm gusset.) Made in India / Designed on the Isle of Wight. Wash Cool, Hang Dry.
£16.00
£16.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Prev Post
Next Post

Eco-Friendly Shop

Women's Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothing for Women Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable women’s clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies, vests, sweaters, shorts, and...
Shop Now

Men's Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothing for Men Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable men’s clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies, vests, sweaters, shorts, and...
Shop Now

Kids Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothes for Kids Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable kids clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies and jumpers. Our garments...
Shop Now
Someone recently bought a
[time] ago, from [location]

Thanks for subscribing!

This email has been registered!

Shop the look

Choose Options

Earth Times
Sign up for exclusive updates, new arrivals & insider only discounts

Recently Viewed

Edit Option
Back In Stock Notification
this is just a warning
Login
Shopping Cart
0 items

Before you leave...

Take 20% off your first order

20% off

Enter the code below at checkout to get 20% off your first order

CODESALE20

Continue Shopping