Six Myths about Dolphins
We can tell from a dolphin’s smile that they are happy?
What looks like a smile in a dolphin is not a smile
Dolphins look like that because of the shape of their jaws
They appear to "smile" even if they feel sad and want to cry
Captive dolphins swim with their eyes closed to protect them from chemicals in the water
Dolphins that bring you happiness are NOT happy. Their "smile" is a great deception.
Captive dolphins live freely in a spacious pool?
In the wild, dolphins swim 40 to 100 miles a day and dive to depths of hundreds of feet
No matter how large the pool or tank, it is minute compared with the vast ocean
Dolphins like to associate with companions to hunt and interact
Dolphins process culture. Different groups have distinctly different behaviours
Captive dolphins have no choice but to live with other “foreign” dolphins
Captive dolphins live within walls and they cannot behave naturally. This results in psychological and behavioural problems like chewing on gates, self-mutilation and attacks on other dolphins.
Captive dolphins enjoy the “showtime” atmosphere?
Dolphins in the wild send soundwaves into their surrounding environment to find food and contact partners
When in captivity, these sounds simply bounce off the aquarium walls
Loud music and audience applause stress captive dolphins.
Captive dolphins can live a long life in a safe environment?
Captive dolphins live in chemically treated water tanks – not natural sea water
Poisonous additives damage their immune systems and lead to illness
Captive dolphins are susceptible to infection, a common cause of death
Other causes of death are stress-related illnesses such as pneumonia and sepsis
Captivity causes stress to dolphins. They die more easily than wild dolphins.
Dolphins are intelligent and can easily learn to perform tricks?
Dolphins have a very complex brain structure
Dolphins are as intelligent as other primates
Dolphins perform tricks to be rewarded with food
Dolphin trainers generally work with hungry animals. Dolphins do tricks in shows just to get food.
Dolphin shows teach us about wildlife?
Captive dolphins do not behave naturally in a captive environment
The captive space lacks mental stimulation
What you see in an aquarium is not the real dolphin life
Some organisations use conservation as a reason to breed and keep dolphins in a captive environment
Being involved in dolphin activities encourages the spread of bacteria
The life of a captive dolphin has nothing in common with dolphins living in the wild
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