COMMENTARY ON CAPTIVE MARINE MAMMALS - by David Wills

Much has been written the past few days concerning the killing of the young female animal handler at Sea World by the killer whale, Tilkum.

It is not IFCNR's intent to re-examine the situation nor to weigh in on the actual incident.

What is very important for IFCNR, is to make it clear that we oppose the needless captivity of whales and dolphins.

As most of you know, Killer Whales are whales only in the fact that they share a common taxonomic order (Cetacea) and suborder (Odentoceti) with toothed whales. They are, in fact, the largest members of the Family Delphinidae. They are dolphins, not whales at all.

Their scientific name is "Orcinus Orca".

Simply put they are too large, too social, and too complex, to be held in thrall for the amusement of humans.

Years ago, (over 20 in fact), I was privileged to swim with several well kept captive dolphins in Marathon Key, Florida.

It was a great experience for me.

At the time the justification for the captivity of these special creatures was that they were being used to work with autistic children. I doubted that argument then and today I would argue it simply, even if factual, can not justify their captivity.

I actually wrote a short article that was published, called, if I remember correctly "Velvet Chains and Kind Jailers" (see side bar below). I think the year was 1988.

I have nothing against Sea World, they try and provide the best of care and housing and environments for the animals in their facilities (this is not the case for many dolphin shows around the world and even in the USA) but the simple truth is that whale and dolphin shows are big money makers and they bring in the paying audience. According to news reports, Tilkum is insured for nearly five million dollars. Sea world needs to evolve and figure out other ways to put paying customers in their parks.

I am not anti-business and surely IFCNR supports capitalism, but these animals are too special and too unique to perform or be held captive for our entertainment.

Indeed, I can think of no reason they should be held against their will for any reason of ours.

I recognize that Tilkum was evidently born and raised in captivity so he is not a candidate for reintroduction.

That said, no harm should come to him. He was and is just doing what his kind do.

The world has (hopefully) evolved greatly in its understanding and treatment of many of the higher intelligent sentient animals. (Someday, IFCNR will run an article about what Hegel called a "hierarchy of values").

The practical solution as IFCNR sees it is to never again allow whales and or dolphins to be held captive for our purposes no matter how noble. Let those in captivity that cannot be considered for release into the wild, live out their lives in as natural circumstances, as possible. Do not allow more captive breeding to occur. This just perpetuates the cycle of abuse. Strictly prohibit any use of future dolphins and whales in any captive environment.

Put an end to all whaling and let them exist where they belong back in the oceans of this planet.

TV shows, I-max movies and actual wild encounters are now so prevalent that there is no need to put them in tanks like giant gold fish so we can pay an admission fee and watch them at our leisure act in unnatural ways for our entertainment.

That should be enough to satisfy even our insatiable curiosity.

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Velvet Chains, Kind Jailers

In the Spring of 1988, I swam with a group of captive dolphins in Florida. The experience was one I will treasure forever. The two hours I shared with these gentle friends from the ocean was moving, exhilarating, and gratifying.

Their obvious intelligence, their mischievous nature, and their delight in the tricks they continuously played on me confirmed everything I had ever read or thought about these unique animals.

The swim was a highlight in my life; one that left me charmed, in love and paradoxically saddened. For the single inescapable fact of that wonderful time was that while I was free to swim with the dolphins, they were not free to swim with me.

They did not share in the experience as free and willing partners; willing perhaps, but not free. And that is the moral issue that condemns all captive dolphin swim programs. No litany of rationalizations can have it otherwise. Not the fact that their keepers love them, not the explanation of their past history in captive background, nor any other sad tale of woe as to the circumstances in which they came to be captive. No instrumental-based argument that states that thousands of people who interact with captive dolphins in swim programs will foster new efforts and concern for the plight of dolphins everywhere. No arguments can justify the forced confinement of these unique and complex individuals. Every aspect of their character argues for the recognition of their interestes; and a fundamental interest in the freedom to exist for their own ends, and not as a tool or a means for mans ends. Their lives without their freedom is a sad and prolonged slavery no matter how velvet the chains nor how kind the jailer.

To watch them reduced to begging for food was the most disturbing sight of all.

As they waited expectantly after each human swim encounter to be fed, I realized how demeaning this experience was for the dolphins. It reminded me of seeing tigers jumping through hoops of flames at the circus for the pleasure of the audience. That their faces may appear to always be joyful and smiling cannot mask the sadness you see in the depth of a captive dolphins eyes. For if any animal can mourn its loss of freedom, then surely the dolphin can.

Someday, I would like to swim with dolphins again, but it would have to be with their consent  consent given freely to swim with me in the open freedom of their natural environment; on their terms, not just mine.

- David Wills