Dolphinaria

There are a growing number of European facilities holding whales, dolphins and porpoises (collectively known as cetaceans) in captivity for display to the public, circus-style shows, and interaction programmes such as swimming with dolphins and dolphin assisted therapy. ENDCAP campaigns against the keeping of dolphins and whales in captivity in Europe. We raise awareness of the consequences, to both individual animals and wild populations, of the wild capture of these animals from their natural habitat and their inherent unsuitability to the captive environment.

Captive cetacea, like thousands of other wild animal species, are adversely affected by the captive animal industry. Scientific evidence shows marine mammals such as dolphins and whales suffer significantly in captive environments; captivity fails to provide for their behavioural or physiological needs. Compared to their natural ocean home, tanks are small and cramped, bare and featureless, causing stress, aggression, reduced life expectancy and breeding problems. Chemically treated water and UV exposure frequently cause ulcers and skin lesions.

The majority of cetaceans in captivity are used in ‘circus’-style performances that offer little more than entertainment to the audience and minimal information on their origins, biology, ecology and conservation. Legally these facilities should comply with the EC Zoos Directive 1999/22/EC, relating to the keeping of wild animals in zoos, but few facilities appear to meet these requirements. Dolphinaria appear to be falling through the legislative net.

Currently there are 33 facilities in the European Union (and a total of at least 59 in Europe) that together, keep and display hundreds of dolphins to the public. Demand by holidaymakers to see, or swim-with dolphins in captivity whilst on holiday, is increasing the number of captive facilities. Spain for example has 11 dolphinaria, the majority of which are tourist attractions. High mortality rates and low breeding success means it is unsustainable. In some parts of the world wild dolphins are still captured from the wild to maintain numbers and stock newly constructed facilities. Studies have shown the death rates for wild-caught bottlenose dolphins increase six-fold during and immediately after capture. Unknown numbers of animals are dying to sustain the captive dolphin industry.

ENDCAP wants to see a ban on keeping cetaceans in captivity. Proper application of the EC Zoos Directive would require animals are kept in conditions that meet their biological and conservation requirements. Yet ENDCAP believes it is impossible for these requirements to be met in captivity. The UK saw its last dolphinarium close in 1993 following adherence to tighter national regulations and none have been established since. Croatia and Cyprus both prohibit the keeping of cetaceans in captivity for commercial purposes. Further, under the EC Zoos Directive, dolphinaria also need to comply with its public education requirements and yet ENDCAP believes that dolphinaria only mis-educate the public about cetaceans, displaying them in unnatural conditions doing tricks for the public.

ENDCAP joined the European Alliance to End Dolphins in Captivity in 2009. This is comprised of eleven international and European organisations that, together, have established a petition which aims to collect over one million signatures to help convince politicians and the European Commission that the captive exploitation of these beautiful, charismatic animals needs to end.

Pledge your support and sign the Petition

The European Alliance to End Dolphins in Captivity is comprised of the following European and International organisations: Born Free Foundation, Dolphin Days, European network to END the keeping of wild animals in CAPtivity (ENDCAP), KRAX - Kids Schützen Tiere, M.E.E.R., OceanCare, Pro Wildlife, Robin Des Bois, Underwater Research Society - Marine Mammal Research Group ( SAD-DEMAG), Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS) and World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA).

More information about the problems captive whales and dolphins face in captivity can be found at http://www.wdcs.org/captivity