Dear Sir:
I have always been an avid reader of your news site and noted your editorial of August 18 concerning a dolphinarium project in the TCI with much interest. Please rest assured that there is absolutely no lack of international concern over this ugly business. I have dedicated my life to educating the public about the evils of dolphinariums and can speak with considerable authority on the subject.
First, let me provide some personal background information. For many years, before I knew better, I worked in this industry – assisting in the capture of wild dolphins and training them to perform tricks and shows for the amusement of paying customers at the Miami Seaquarium. In fact, I personally trained the most famous dolphin of all – “Flipper” of television fame (actually five dolphins played Flipper and I captured and trained them all).
I was paid well for this work and could have continued to earn even more money, but as time went on I gradually came to understand what a cruel and inhumane business it is. Eventually, I did a complete turnaround and for the last 38 years have traveled the world, largely on a volunteer basis, opposing the creation of new dolphinariums and urging that existing facilities be closed. I’ve also been involved in the rehabilitation and release into the wild of captive dolphins – a tricky business because they sometimes are so degraded by their experience in captivity that they are unable to re-learn wild habits.
Several years ago, I supported the rehabilitation and release of Rocky, Missy and Silver (three dolphins from dolphinariums in the UK), in the TCI. I have fond recollections of the fabulous natural marine environment that then existed around Provo, a situation which I understand has now changed dramatically for the worse.
Dolphins are magnificent, highly intelligent, free-ranging, wild creatures that deserve to remain in their natural habitat. Keeping them confined in an enclosed facility, however elegant it might be, is analogous to keeping a human being in solitary confinement. Readers may not think of a concrete tank or sea-pen as a tiny cell, but consider that dolphins are used to swimming up to 40 miles and diving many fathoms beneath the surface every day in the wild. Everything is relative.
Furthermore, forcing dolphins to swim with people and perform stunts for food is completely unnatural and often very traumatic. Because of their apparent exuberance and “smiling” countenance, it is easy to conclude that they are happy doing these things, but I can assure you categorically that they are not. It is imprisonment and forced labor, purely and simply.
Your readers may not be aware that dolphins kept in confinement and forced to perform unnatural activities frequently demonstrate aggression towards their trainers and even members of the paying public. This clearly occurs out of understandable frustration at their oppression. Many serious injuries have resulted over the years, but they are not publicized for understandable economic reasons. This is but one “dirty little secret” of the captive dolphin industry.
I am happy to say that public opinion on this subject is shifting dramatically as people learn more of the facts. Many dolphinariums have closed and many new projects have been abandoned under the weight of public protest. Laws have been enacted in some jurisdictions banning the capture of wild dolphins in territorial waters. I’m very proud of the role I’ve been able to play in bringing this change about and would like to think I have repaid at least a small part of the debt I owe as a result of my earlier participation in this remarkably cruel industry.
I am unable to judge from the conflicting reports I’ve read whether the TCI government still intends to pursue the dolphinarium project on Ft. George Cay. A modern country with a “Beautiful by Nature” credo should not be even contemplating such an endeavor, let alone in a National Park. Hopefully, it has been abandoned for good. If not, I will be happy to lead the charge against the project and can summon together a great many international organizations to assist, as I have done in many other countries.
Richard O'Barry, Director
Save Japan Dolphins Coalition
Florida, USA |
