Do whales kept in captivity suffer?
Yes. Numerous animal protection agencies (including The Vancouver
Humane Society, The Humane Society of the United States, The Vancouver
SPCA) all agree that whales physically suffer the limited movement allowed
in small artificial pools, suffer social deprivation when removed from
their families in the wild, and suffer much shorter life spans than their
counterparts in the wild.
Does the research of captive whales help to conserve wild populations?
Yes and No. Studies on physiology, senses, and energetics can be
valid in limited ways to determine such physical responses as eye
sensitivity to light, or the number of calories it takes to swim a certain
distance. But, for the most part, behavioral studies on captives
whales can't be applied to wild whales because captivity forces these
animals to behave unnaturally.
Isn't the display of captive whales educational?
No. Close-up contact with captive whales is initially a thrilling
experience, but soon most people begin to sense that these magnificent
mammals cannot possibly be living lives remotely resembling those they
might have had in the wold. Their movements are appallingly
restricted to endless circling in the pool. They are fed dead fish
to eat, are taught to perform on cue, and are forced to endure unrelenting
public scrutiny for most of their captive lives. The sole
educational purpose of these whale displays is, ironically, to directly
confront human beings with the selfishness and cruelty they have imposed
upon a highly intelligent fellow species. The
"entertainment" provided by the whales is not
"educational:, as the Aquarium maintains.
Can captive whales be safely released? Does our group support
release?
Release program are a brand-new area of scientific study. NO
captive killer whale has yet been released to the wild, but one whale,
Keiko ("Free Willy"), is now begin slowly rehabilitated and
studied to see if future release is possible. Our organization only
supports the return of captive whales to the wild after full
rehabilitation.
Does our organization want to see the Vancouver Public Aquarium
closed?
Certainly not! We support the Aquarium in fulfilling an historic
and valuable educational role with many of its marine displays. But
we don't wish to see ocra whales, dolphins, and other cetaceans exhibits
kept captive in such alien surroundings as whale tanks. Nothing
could make us happier than to see the cetacean exhibits phased out, and a
new approach to exhibits taken that is more in sympathy with contemporary
public attitudes.. Several aquaria are today thriving financially, even
though they do not exhibit cetaceans.
Is there a future for the Vancouver Aquarium?
The opportunity for the Vancouver Aquarium to redefine its role and
look to the future should be seized for its potential, rather than viewed
as a threat to the status quo. Tremendous advances in
technology can be exploited to produce not only thrilling display, but
healthy financial returns as well. If half of the energy expended by
the Aquarium on resisting change had been put into exploring new ideas and
generating public input, think how much further ahead we would be.
Pragmatic leadership will be necessary to negotiate the transition in
roles the Aquarium must undergo if it is to be expected to survive as a
socially valuable and financially viable entity.
How can you help the whales?
As we are all volunteers using our own resources, financial help is
always welcome. But equally valuable is to give by writing
letters to government agencies and to local newspapers, attending special
public events, generating ideas to help us reach our goals, or helping out
with various activities such as general administration and fundraising.
Please attend our special events, and our lectures. We will keep you
posted if you ask to be on our phone and e-mail list. We have items
for sale, such as bumper stickers and books. At this time, it would be
very helpful if you write letters requesting a whale referendum in the
November 1999 municipal election, and please send us copies of your
letters.
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