Little known or discussed about in the captivity debate is the water park Aquatica, located in Orlando Florida, and owned by Seaworld. This water park has a particular attraction called the Dolphin Plunge, where tourists can slide down a water slide that passes through a tank of Commerson’s Dolphins.
Commerson’s dolphins are well known as an elsive species of dolphin that is very active and quick-moving. Both of these traits prove for them to not only be unsuitable for confinement, but also for being so invasively surrounded by humans. To add onto the probable discomfort of having screaming people shooting through their tank every few minutes, there is an underwater viewing area that is added onto this tank, as well as a viewing area from above the water, further diminishing any privacy these animals should have access to.
The ICUN lists these animals as a threatened species, and to add onto the threats to the population from being hunted for their meat and oil, Seaworld (along with the Duisburg Zoo and a few small Japanese Aquariums) captured 53 or more of these animals for live display, further endangering their wild population numbers between 1978-1987.
Aquatica Orlando opened in 2008 with 4 dolphins in their inventory: Pepe, Fabio, Ross, and Keebler. Since then, Keebler and Fabio passed away. Keebler was 16, Fabio was 21. Only 2 dolphins remain at the park.
Please don’t support this business that is not only unfair to the animals, but environmentally unsustainable. Be pro-freedom, and spend your money on an animal-free water park, or take your family on a responsible whale watching tour instead.
I’ve always wondered why this slide attraction hasn’t gotten more criticism.
via Tumblr http://ift.tt/1xdl5Uq
Keine Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen