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| iStockphoto/Nancy Nehring |
| A dolphin surfaces through a rainbow. |
Aruba, the tiny island just north of the coast of Venezuela, is the latest Caribbean island state to consider a proposal to build a dolphinarium. In this case, the proposal is from an existing dolphinarium in Curaçao, which seeks to expand or even transfer its operations to its neighbor to the west. The facility in Curaçao calls itself “Dolphin Academy” in an obvious effort to add educational credibility to its entertainment function—selling dolphin swims to tourists. But make no mistake: a pretentious name is all about marketing, not about substance. Dolphin Academy is just another captive dolphin facility.
In November 2007, six wild-caught dolphins were imported to Curaçao from Cuba. Although HSUS/HSIS opposes all “swim-with-the-dolphins” programs as inhumane and dangerous forms of entertainment, animals taken from the wild for use in these attractions suffer the additional trauma of capture, separation, transportation and adjustment to their new circumstances. Even former Dolphin Academy director Laetitia Lindgren-Smits van Oyen is said to have been critical of using wild-caught dolphins at the facility.
Three incidents reported to have happened at Dolphin Academy recently show why “swim with” programs are not only unkind to dolphins; they are potentially dangerous to people. According to island newspaper The Daily Herald, in April 2007 a Dolphin Academy animal bumped a girl and bit her father when he tried to help her. Then on January 1, 2008, a dolphin meant to leap over a pole breached onto the people holding the pole instead. Finally, on January 11, a dolphin struck a Dolphin Academy employee several times in the back with her tail, apparently sending him to the hospital.
A mature bottlenose dolphin can reach more than 450 lbs/205 kg, and these reported incidents illustrate the risks inherent in “swim-with-the-dolphins” programs. If not only the biting and tail slapping, but also the bumping and breaching were purposeful—as some experts assert, given how aware of their surroundings dolphins typically are as they swim—the animals’ behavior may also be a demonstration of the stress that they are under. A video purporting to be of the January 1 accident has made its way onto the Internet; the footage serves as a caution to those considering taking part in “swim-with” activities.
Meanwhile, a protest in Aruba is being led by a small but dedicated group of advocates, and has found support within the academic community on the island. The HSUS/HSI has supported local newspaper ads, been interviewed by the local media, and made presentations to the public, the media and government officials. So far, the opposition movement is holding its own, but the government will need a great deal more persuasion. We will continue to support local efforts to keep Aruba a place where wild dolphins can be enjoyed as they swim by shores unsullied by sea pens holding forlorn captives who will never be free.
Updated Feb. 20, 2008
