Entertainment or Exploitation? Dive Into Sea Mammals in Captivity

March 16, 2022

Marine mammals living in captivity may appear happy and healthy, but the harsh reality is the aquatic entertainment industry exploits the animals for profit. Here’s why they deserve to roam free.

Orca show at SeaWorld. roger4336. CC BY-SA 2.0

The definition of a cetacean is a marine mammal, but they are better known as dolphins, porpoises and whales. While not everyone has viewed these creatures in their natural habitats, there is a good chance they have been seen closer to home at a local zoo or aquatic institution. However, these businesses are in possession of cetaceans for entertainment purposes, not the well-being of the actual animals.

As breathtaking as it may be to see an orca, whale, or dolphin right in front of your face, these creatures have complex ways of thinking and living that cannot be maintained in a glass tank. Cetaceans are social animals, similar to humans, who thrive off interacting with other aquatic mammals. They are also extremely intelligent and need space to explore new concepts and create families. If kept in captivity and separated from their offspring, cetaceans suffer similarly to what a human may experience if they are depressed or anxious: physical ailments, raised stress levels, aggressive temperaments and even premature death. As a result, this changes the demeanor of the animals, and several trainers have been injured or killed over the years. Organizations using cetaceans for entertainment purposes overlook the basic needs of these animals and forgo moral and ethical standards for the benefit of their business.

SeaWorld is famous for its orca shows, dazzling spectators with what seem to be displays of happy creatures performing tricks willingly but are truly a collection of unhappy animals working for food in unsuitable tanks. Years of cetacean exploitation in this organization—and ones similar to it—were masked as research. SeaWorld claimed to save marine animals who had been injured in the wild by bringing them to their facility and rehabilitating them in a controlled environment. Upon further investigation, these claims were false, as some animals had been forcefully taken from their homes rather than rescued. Companies battled with lawmakers for years over the proposal of a law that would benefit the animals more than the humans in charge of them. The Orca Protection and Safety Act was passed in 2016, banning the breeding, capturing and performing of orcas in California. SeaWorld’s long reign amongst aquatic entertainment organizations crumbled.

While several states have adopted laws banning the breeding of orcas since then, there are still 59 whales in captivity across the globe and numerous other dolphins and beluga whales in the same situation. In recent years, China and Russia have become popular locations for orca breeding and performing.

One organization in Canada is now working to rectify the unethical treatment of these animals by creating a space for them to retire and return to the life a cetacean would normally live. The Whale Sanctuary Project is dedicating their time to supporting cetaceans bred and raised in captivity who may be retired, but have no home or family to return to. The Whale Sanctuary Project creates authentic sanctuaries for these animals, large bodies of water with adequate depth where whales, dolphins and porpoises can roam free and interact with other creatures in the same situation. Their work is the first of its kind in North America and will continue to improve the lives of cetaceans in need for years to come.

GET INVOLVED

Orca Network is a non-profit organization working to spread awareness about orca whales and other aquatic mammals living in captivity. To learn more about orcas, the effects living in captivity has on marine mammals and ways you can directly support these animals, visit Orca Network’s website and consider attending one of their virtual informational events.

The Dark Side of Elephant Rides

December 11, 2020

Most of us have had the opportunity to marvel at the world’s most gentle giants, elephants, whether in a zoo, at a circus, or maybe even on a safari. These animals are often used for human entertainment, but at what cost? For the elephants forced to carry humans for hours at a time, the cost may be their lives.

Elephant riding, a practice popular in places like Thailand, has become a regular bucket list item with influencers sparking inspiration atop the majestic animals. While it may seem that these animals are physically equipped, their bodies are simply not meant for such long hauls. In addition, the inadequate living conditions and harsh treatments they are subjected to are all the more reason to refuse elephant rides.

Their mistreatment starts with “phajaan,” or elephant crushing. This training method consists of taking the elephants from their mothers and confining them in a small space. When they are in captivity, they are beaten to submission with bullhooks and nail-spiked bamboo sticks. In combination with the physical abuse they have to endure, elephants are also deprived of sleep and food, then chained when they are not giving rides. By participating in elephant tours, one may unknowingly contribute to this brutal cycle of abuse.

Elephant in chains. Invisible Lens Photography. CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.

This physical abuse also leads to health complications for the elephants. Their bodies are weakened by the trauma, and the hundreds of pounds placed on the center of their spines often leads to permanent spinal injuries. Not only is the human weight an unnatural stress, but the chair, or “howdah,” attached to their backs can rub against their skin, causing open wounds that get infected. It is apparent that the consequences of elephant riding are incredibly harmful.

Some organizations have begun taking steps to remedy this issue. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and World Animal Protection created mass media campaigns denouncing elephant riding that have gained significant traction. These campaigns showed graphic images of elephants as young as 18 to 24 months old being chained up and beaten with bullhooks: a small glimpse into these animals’ harsh realities. Tour operators like STA Travel, TUI Group, G Adventures and Intrepid Travel have also contributed to ensuring animal safety with their elimination of most elephant activities.

Even though elephant riding may seem fun, the unethical practices behind it must be resolved in order to keep this endangered species alive and treated well.

Animal Activists Celebrate as More of Asia Bans Dog Meat Consumption

July 16, 2020

The eating of dog meat, though not widespread anymore, is still practiced today in countries such as South Korea, China, Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia. 30 million dogs are killed for consumption every year in Asia, motivating animal rights activists to speak up and call for change. Many have pushed back against the practice, finding success in the last few weeks as the first Cambodian province and India’s Nagaland state ban the selling, trading and consumption of dog meat. This marks a crucial turning point for animal rights activists across the world.

Siem Reap - The “Hub” of Dog Meat

While only about 12% of Cambodians eat dog meat on a regular basis, the province of Siem Reap has been identified as a “hot spot” for the trading and consumption of dog meat in wet markets. Tea Kimsoth, head of Siem Reap province’s agriculture, forestry and fisheries department, stated that “dog meat has been a lot more popular following the arrivals of foreigners, especially among the South Koreans.” On July 8, Siem Reap became the first province in Cambodia to mark the practice as illegal. Consequences of defying the ban include up to five years in prison and $12,200 in fines. The implementation of the law banning dog meat consumption marks a victory for the Humane Society International (HSI), which hopes that Siem Reap will serve as a model for the rest of the country to save the lives of millions of dogs.

Nagaland, India - Following Suit

After pictures of “dogs bound in sacks at wet markets” circulated online, the Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organisations called for change and headed a campaign to stop the illegal trading and slaughtering of the animals. However, many civil rights activists retaliated against the ban, calling it “an attack on food customs in the state.” While illegal in some parts of India, dog meat is still considered a delicacy by some in the northeastern areas of the country. The government has not revealed how it plans to enforce the ban, but it announced that it would also ban commercial importation, trading and dog markets in general. This comes as a relief to HSI, which has been campaigning for years to stop the consumption and slaughtering of dogs.

The Movement Continued

These victories come in light of the decision by Shenzhen, China, to ban the eating of both dogs and cats. This makes Shenzhen the first Chinese city to do so, after beginning to enforce the decision on May 1. Ultimately, the eating of dog meat is not common in China, only practiced by a few with the majority stating they have never tried it and never will. This comes after the city government released a statement saying that “dogs and cats have established a much closer relationship with humans than all other animals.” The city followed suit after Hong Kong and Taiwan banned the practice.

In the meantime, organizations such as the Humane Society International and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals are celebrating their success while working constantly to target other countries where the practice is still prevalent.