Thread: Poll Of The Day 8/21/05 - Holding Dolphins Captive

Regarding this article:

http://www.cdnn.info/news/eco/e050818c.html

Should we stop allowing tour operators to hold Dolphins captive?

If possible I think a natural environment is best

They should be free!!

It always seemed wrong to me!

I understand all the concerns on the dolphins' behalf.

But I don't think this argument should be made without taking into consideration all Sea World type parks and any circus, any and all zoos and any and all facilities that hold 'wild' animals in captivity for any reason.

I don't know what the difference is between 'dolphin encounters' and Sea World or any circus or any zoo. Is it because dolphins are intelligent and cute, but other animals are not?

I'm not trying to start something, just playing devil's advocate here and wondering why the focus is only on dolphins. I don't doubt that any animal would prefer to be in the wild rather than captivity. Even my cat tries to get out the door.

You make a very good point, Kyle. It's hard to justify one and not the other. Zoos always seemed sort of 'wrong' to me too. Who knows?

frubals for your point of view.............not saying I agree necessarily but a well versed point of view...........

Originally Posted by stowaway2k

I understand all the concerns on the dolphins' behalf.

But I don't think this argument should be made without taking into consideration all Sea World type parks and any circus, any and all zoos and any and all facilities that hold 'wild' animals in captivity for any reason.

I don't know what the difference is between 'dolphin encounters' and Sea World or any circus or any zoo. Is it because dolphins are intelligent and cute, but other animals are not?

I'm not trying to start something, just playing devil's advocate here and wondering why the focus is only on dolphins. I don't doubt that any animal would prefer to be in the wild rather than captivity. Even my cat tries to get out the door.

I am in total agreement Kyle!! I know all of these things give enjoyment, but I agree all should be free, or at least, in open free areas, for them to run and roam around!!

Kyle, you bring up a lot of great points....As do others and it shows why the question at large is so hard to answer. It's almost the wrong question entirely.

I've been a member of GLAZA (Greater LA Zoo Association) for almost 30 years. (Yes, I really did join when I was 10 - no lie)

The focus for zoos has HAD to change over the course of the last few decades because, you're right - their function has changed. They can no longer just be places where people LOOK at the animals or TOUCH the animals. They have to become centers for education and preservation.

An argument is made that captive animals ultimately do help humans associate themselves with them. A child who actually sees a dolphin in real life is, really, less likely to buy tuna that not labeled dolphin safe. A meerkat in the zoo can bring a direct line of understanding that TV just can't create.

Then there's the ability for captive breeding programs, and the best example is the Condor program that has proven so successful in CA.

Yes, I hate to see caged animals. If the cages are as natural as possible it helps. Zoos are evolving, as I believe they should.

Cages just for the sake of tourism? I don't know. Are they really edcuational? In some cases - probably, in others, maybe not. It's just a tough nut to crack and there's really no perfect answer.

I don't even like circuses or zoos, unless the zoos make a huge effort to duplicate the animal's natural habitat. Dolphins in captivity especially bothers me because they are so intelligent. I think they do enjoy interaction with people now and then though, so maybe if there was a program where the dolphins could voluntarily come in and play or do tricks for tourists then that would be a win win situation. But it might be hard to arrange scheduling for the next show!