Dolphins in Captivity

Background Information

• The bottlenose dolphin is the most common species found in captivity
• Often brought into captivity for entertainment
• Even dolphins that are rescued end up staying in captivity for no real reason
• Environment: These dolphins are tropical/coastal Shallow/Surface water creatures Saltwater creatures, tolerate freshwater Active day & night

No cold regions
They can be found in coastal areas such as:
Mediterranean Sea
Atlantic Ocean
Black Seas
Pacific Ocean

Relationships

• Relationships: Family is everything(social creatures)
• Dolphin Predators: Sharks (Tiger, Dusky) Killer Whales Humans
• Dolphin Prey:
• Fish Shrimp
• Squids

The Negative Impacts

• Ecosystem
• Population
• Change in Diet
• Habitat

Positive Impact(1)

• Marine Mammal Protection Act-1972(Not Effective) the capture of wild dolphins and other marine mammals is acceptable as long as the individual applies for and receives a permit from the National Marine Fisheries Service. Reasons you get a permit: Scientific research Public display Accidental captures by fishermen (this provision allows for the deaths of millions of dolphins in the nets of the tuna fishing industry) Conservation 30 Days
• The Marine Mammal Protection Act has three requirements that facilities must meet before a capture permit can be granted. offer an education or conservation program facility must be open to the public on a regular basis. only keep a marine mammal on public display

Positive Impact(2)

• The Animal Welfare Act-1979 Space requirements (i.e., the size of a dolphin's tank) 6 feet-can swim up to 40 miles a day Quality of water and sanitation Transportation and handling Food quality and diet Veterinary care USDA-regulations Marine parks and facilities are not required to obtain a permit to export their marine mammals to foreign zoos or aquariums
• A Unique Plan Visit sanctuaries/conservation sites instead of the zoo/marine parks (END DEMAND) What this means: Marine parks have a 4-5 star rating No demand = No marine parks thus lowering the demand for dolphins/whales How to do this: Expose marine park cruelty on social media Protest Create an alternative for example ecotourism Fund conservation programs(charge entry)
• Unique Plan: Conservation: $1.3 Million to save a single species Bottlenose Dolphin: $30,000-100,000 for the dolphin plus $10,000 a month Both options are costly but there is only one option that keeps dolphins alive By creating a safe tourist attraction dolphins would be able to be bread and let into that wild without the demand/dangers of hunting.

Sources

• “Dolphins in Captivity vs. Dolphins in the Wild.” Ocean News, 30 Nov. 2011, myoceannews.wordpress.com/2011/10/30/dolphins-in-captivity-vs-dolphins-in-t....
• “Wild Dolphins.” Dolphin Facts and Information, www.dolphins-world.com/wild-dolphins/.
• “The Cost to Save an Endangered Species? $1.3 Million.” Discovery, 25 Mar. 2015, www.discovery.com/dscovrd/wildlife/the-cost-to-save-an-endangered-species-1....
• “Habitat and Distribution.” SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, seaworld.org/animals/all-about/bottlenose-dolphin/habitat/.

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