The bitter truth behind dolphin shows: Is entertainment more important than the animals?

In 2013, the documentary "Blackfish" exposed the world to the reality of orca life in SeaWorld and Loro Parque. Yet, today, countless parks keep dolphins in captivity for entertainment. According to World Animal Protection, 3,000 dolphins worldwide are currently imprisoned for human amusement. In the Netherlands, the well-known Dolphinarium offers these "magical" shows. But what is the truth behind the images presented to the public?

 

Unnatural behavior                                                                   

Many parks, like SeaWorld, claim that their shows and facilities are educational. However, there is overwhelming evidence that captive dolphins exhibit unnatural behavior. Unlike wild dolphins that spend 80% of their time underwater, captive dolphins spend 80% of their time with their heads above water begging for food or attention. They often lie still in the water or swim in circles, while wild dolphins rarely remain motionless. Kissing, nodding, shaking their heads, bowing, and performing tricks for food are also unnatural behaviors for dolphins. A comprehensive research report on dolphinariums in the EU shows that these parks severely lack in providing education.

 

Life in captivity

The living spaces of captive dolphins are extremely small compared to the vast ocean they come from. In the wild, dolphins swim tens of kilometers per day and sometimes dive as deep as 200 meters. The tanks they live in captivity are 200,000 times smaller than their natural habitat. In the documentary "Blackfish," ex-SeaWorld trainers reveal that the spaces for orcas are so shallow that they scrape their fins on the bottom. Tillikum, an orca who lived in captivity for 34 years until his death in 2017, was the largest orca ever held in captivity. After three fatal incidents, he was no longer allowed to participate in shows. He spent his last years alone in a 9.4-meter-long tank, while he himself was 6 meters long. Various studies show that captive dolphins and orca’s self-harm. They bang their heads against the walls or chew on the walls and fences until their teeth break. Experts believe this is a combination of depression and boredom. The living spaces of these animals are large, gray bowls of water. There are no plants, no colors, nothing at all. The animals are also separated from their families and placed with other dolphins at random. Orcas from different areas speak different languages and accents and have different "cultures." Bringing these animals together often leads to incidents of aggressive behavior. This has even resulted in fatalities. For example, orcas Candu and Corky fought over dominance. Candu struck Corky's head, breaking her jaw. This resulted in a torn artery in her head and fatal bleeding.

 

"Protection"

When these parks are criticized, one of the many counterarguments is that the animals have a better and safer life in captivity. SeaWorld, for example, tells visitors that orcas live longer in captivity, but wild orcas have about the same life expectancy as humans. Most captive orcas die around the age of 30. Physical ailments that occur in captive dolphins and orcas do not occur in wild animals. An alternative where these animals are truly protected and not used for money and entertainment is an open-water pen. Here they experience the ocean without the danger of humans, other animals, and conditions that threaten their species. Unlike parks with dolphin breeding, open-water pens contribute to the conservation of the species.

 

Intelligent animals

Dolphins have large brains. Characteristics of animals with large brains are long lifespans and that they are very social. The communication and interactions between dolphins are also extremely complex. Just like those of humans. Research even shows that the part of the brain that is responsible for things like empathy, perception, self-awareness, compassion, and motor skills is incredibly strong and complex in dolphins. The brain of a human and an orca are similar in many ways. So, ask yourself: is it not inhuman for animals with an intelligence similar to ours to live in these conditions?

 

Are the dolphins happy?

The misconception that smiling dolphins are happy is false:

• In the dolphinarium industry, it is common to give animals antidepressants. This indicates underlying mental problems.
• Dolphins only get food after they have done something well. This artificial reward system does not align with their hunting instinct.
• The living spaces in dolphinariums are extremely small compared to the vast oceans where dolphins belong.
• Trainers stand on the snouts and backs of dolphins, which can cause physical stress and pain.
• Dolphins are separated from their families at a young age, which disrupts their social and emotional development.
• They lack mental stimulation in the artificial environment of a dolphinarium.
• Dolphins cannot use their natural instincts in captivity, which can lead to frustration and boredom.

 

Before visiting a dolphinarium, swimming with marine animals, or considering dolphin therapy, think about the lives of these animals. What are the companies you are giving your money to doing? Do research on the reality behind the scenes of dolphinariums. Documentaries like "Blackfish" and organizations like "Dolfinariumvrij Nederland" paint a truthful picture of the living conditions of these animals. Would you want to live in a small, white space with strangers? And only get food when you perform tricks? Ask yourself this question and think before visiting dolphinariums.              

                                                                                                                                                                                                    

Written by: Liv Hesseling

Resources: 'Dolfinariumvrij Nederland', Documentary 'Blackfish', 'World Animal Protection'