Dolphins are highly intelligent mammals that encompass the world. A part of the Odontoceti a parvorder of the infraorder Cetacea, they are related to orcas, beluga and pilot whales. A majority of dolphins live in salt water and are considered oceanic dolphins which tend to congregate in shallow waters of the continental shelf but, there are a handful of species that have been known to thrive in freshwater and can be spotted in rivers. Being carnivores, they can be spotted hunting for squid and various species of fish using their melon for echolocation. Since dolphins are mammals, they give birth to live young, usually one calf, and nurse with their mammary glands. Moments after the calf is born the mom must help guide it to the surface so the …show more content…
This new technique of therapy mainly focused on the dolphin’s ability to interact with children and adults with disabilities as well as encourage cognitive and behavioral changes in the various subjects. With this increasingly popular fad what is often forgotten about when the subject of dolphin assisted therapy is the dolphin itself. Dolphins are wild animals that live in the open ocean that are able to live freely but, unfortunately for dolphin assisted therapy those parameters are …show more content…
These silencing events start to occur after the dolphins slowly reduce the time spent using sonar. When in enclosed spaces their sonar signals bounce off the walls and back towards them, which can cause psychological effects similar to animals that have good eyesight being enclosed by mirrors. This possibly creates self-awareness in the dolphin which can lead to vulnerability in captivity (Reiss 2000). It has been stated that when a dolphin is more self-aware of its presence to its surroundings, they are more susceptible to determining the difference between pleasant and unpleasant situations (Reiss 2000). In addition to self-awareness dolphins in captivity have also shown signs of aggressive behavior. There have been injury reports to the NMFS of individuals that have participated in sessions with dolphins that have sustained broken bones, bites, bruising and even hospitalizations (Rose
People believe that it is no different than training a dog to perform tricks in order to receive a treat as a reward. Some scientists and ecologists also believe that rather than leaving some orcas that are abandoned by their pods, these orcas would be able to live out their lives in captivity. Captivity is not always a bad thing for many wild animals. In fact captivity is what has helped to save the lives of many endangered species and has allowed them to survive and be seen thousands of people around the world. Orcas are an especially hot topic in the science and ecology fields across the globe. Orcas are the largest member of the dolphin family and are extremely unpredictable creatures in the wild. These facts being true makes it extremely difficult and nearly impossible to study the lives and mannerisms of killer whales in the wild. Simply because of this some scientists believe that it is best to hold some orcas in captivity in order to study them and learn more about the psychological stages and happenings in the population as a whole. In some cases it is best for the orcas to be in captivity. The United States Fisheries have set rules and regulations that ensure that all the marine life that is held in captivity has a purpose. This purpose must be educational in some form. The fisheries also mandate that the tanks the orcas are held in are kept at a certain standard to
One of the most common dolphins that are found in southern California is the bottlenose dolphin (Kelly). The bottlenose dolphin is mainly found in coastal waters between 45 degrees north and 45 degrees south, also in Northern Europe waters. It is believed that there are two types of bottlenose dolphin regional wise: oceanic form and coastal form. This species is studied the most by biologists (Jefferson). The coastal population lives in fairly open groups with twenty or less in a pod, some groups are found to contain more in open ocean. It is not uncommon for these species to interact and breed with other species, as would a human interact with other diverse humans. The dolphins feeding behavior is adapted to the availability of resources. They sometimes are known to work together to catch fish from large schools, they also trail behind large fishing boats to catch what falls behind (Leatherwood).
An orca, more commonly known as a killer whale, is currently one of the largest marine animals held in captivity. Countless arguments are being made, supporting and opposing captivity of orcas to be exploited as circus animals in theme parks around the world. Throughout recent history, Sea World trainers have been injured and killed by the orcas and the whales, and the whales themselves have been observed as severely depressed. If Sea World releases the whales, they would undergo an immense economic downfall and the whales would be too weak to survive in the wild if they were freed. Since the first Sea World park opened in San Diego, California in 1964, common questions have arose concerning the well-being of orcas in captivity, the dangers of humans training them, the physical capability of whales theoretically being released, and the psychological differences between whales living in the wild versus whales living in Sea World's confinement.
Although SeaWorld presents itself as a family establishment full of fun “educational” activities. However, these activities harm animals physically and emotionally.
Orcinus orca is the scientific name for the massive marine mammal. Orcas are not rare, but have declining numbers in some areas (Martin.) Orcas are found from the Artic Ocean to the Antartic Ocean. (Britannica) They belong to the Delphinidae, or dolphin family, which is the largest of their species. Female orcas grow to be at the most 15 feet, and weigh up to 4 tons, but the males can grow as large as 20-30 feet, and weight up to 8 tons. (Martin) The color of the orca is white in some spots, black on the majority of the body, and gray just behind the dorsal fin. It is white on the chin, belly and the eye. The white patch above the eye is usually mistaken for the eye, and may confuse their prey, but acts as a camouflage for the eye. The name “killer whale” makes people tend to believe that this is a viscious man-eating mammal, yet it is one of the most shrewd, docile and playful species of the marine mammals. The orca is sexually mature at 10-15 years of age, much like humans, which is 12-13 years of age. They tend to mate year round, and is able to have a calf every two years. It is interesting to know that lactation of the mother lasts 12 or more months (Wynne.) The life expectancy of orcas is 45-50 years of age.
Orca whales are the largest members of the dolphin family. Orcas are very curious creatures, they like to sky hop, which is when they poke their heads out of the water and look around, and they can also dive to as much as a hundred feet. These social animals live in pods and stay with them for their whole lives. They are so family oriented that they can may sleep together in a tight circle and have synchronized breathing. Orcas can grow up to thirty-two feet and can weigh nine tons. They typically eat five percent of their body weight and are amazing hunters. The lifespan of an orca in their natural habitat is about fifty years. This lifestyle for them is wonderful because they can swim as far as they want to and are free. Orcas should not be held captive because the capture process is dangerous, it is not good for their health, and their trainers are at risk. Free Willy. Dir Simon Wincer. 1993.Video. Warner Bros Home Video
Is a dolphin a person? Most people would automatically dismiss the question, but in reality, this question can be discussed on a very complex level revealing that the definition of a person is not so black and white. Mary Midgley sets the stage to her narrative by telling the story of a specific court case that she uses as a reference on many occasions. In May of 1977, two men set free two dolphins who were used by the University of Hawaii’s Institute of Marine Biology for experimentation. Kenneth Le Vasseur, one of the men who was standing trial, told how these dolphins were suffering through unfair conditions such as diminishing food rations, isolation from other dolphins, and loss of toys. Based on this information, Le Vasseur and his counsel tried to use the “choice of evils defense” which states that an act, which would typically be considered unacceptable, would be allowed if it would lead to an avoidance of a greater evil or crime against “another”. This defense was rejected on the grounds that the judge declared that a dolphin was not considered to be “another” and instead it should be considered property. Today in our society, it is a common perception that a person or “another” indicates that you must be a human being. Midgley investigates this perception as well as the question of how do we classify what is and what is not a person as well as the moral implications that comes with the title.
In the books Hatchet, Guts, and Island of the Blue Dolphins the characters all go through horrifying experiences. In Hatchet, a boy named Brian is forced to fly a plane after the pilot dies of a heart attack. In Island of the Blue Dolphins, a girl named Karana and her brother were left behind by their clan. In Guts, a man named Gary Paulsen answers emergency ambulance calls and witnesses many deaths from people.
The Cove is a film of activism, a film meant to move the hearts of individuals who love and support the rights of mammalian sea-dwellers like that of whales, porpoises, and most importantly dolphins. Produced in 2009 by the Oceanic Preservation Society it offers a unique perspective, when compared with other activist documentaries. In The Cove the producer and co-founder of the Oceanic Preservation Society was actually personally involved in the filming efforts and worked directly with dolphin trainer Richard O’Barry in drawing light on the events occurring in a private cove in the city of Taiji, Japan. The documentary is, of course, very biased towards the topic, with obvious pro-animal rights leanings supported indirectly with a strong utilitarian basis. When analyzing documentaries such as this it is vitally important to take as objective a perspective as possible, though humanity tends to be innately prone to bias, and scrutinize through perspectives that have established ethical guidelines.
In the field of therapy, there are numerous of therapy available out there for different type of individuals and situations as well. There is one type of therapy that usually contains people and animal, it is animal-assisted therapy is a therapeutic approach that brings animals and individuals with physical and/or emotional needs together to perform the therapy. Animal-assisted therapy tend to be focused on individuals either children or elderly for them to be able to connect with the animal thus feeling comfortable talking with the therapist. Pet therapy works for all ages, whether sick or not (Lanchnit, 2011). Although, this paper, most of the focus is on animal-assisted therapy towards children using dogs.
The documentary, Blackfish, heavily highlights this idea as it depicts the conditions that orcas have to survive by while at SeaWorld. This would involve being kept in isolation, staying in a small pool for extended periods of time, violence and aggression from other orcas, various infections and illnesses, which then ultimately lead to a premature death. According to Lori Marino, a dolphin scientist and ethicist, there is a growing scientific consensus that killer whales do not belong in a captive state, due to their extreme intelligence and complex social/emotional behaviour (Neiwert 252). Many aspects of their natural lives make them a contender as one of the most intelligent animals on earth. Research has shown that the brains of orcas are highly developed in the locations associated with emotional learning, and they show sign of being able to demonstrate concepts such as empathy (Neiwert 249). Orcas also have a deeply rooted social life, which compared to human, is much more present and complex. Their families are often what define their unique identities and personalities, and research has shown that there is an extremely tight and important social arrangement between orcas (Neiwert 249).Unfortunately, captive environments often don’t provide the right stimulus and environment that allow their emotional and social needs to be met (Neiwert 230). As well, the industry of marine parks are not only hurting one killer whale but rather negatively impacting a group of orcas that was once the family of the victim (Humane Society of the United States 197-203). Based on theories of utilitarianism from John Stuart Mill, the right course of actions is one that brings the greatest good to the greatest number of people (MacInnes). Should that not also apply to animals, who have show intelligence and emotion that is comparable to
The dolphin’s snout is short and rounded at the top which gives it its name- as it is like a bottle. The dolphins have many shades of grey skin but white on their underside. Bottlenose dolphins use their two side flippers to steer through strong currents and to make tight turns. Their tail is called a fluke and is used to push the dolphins through the water and gives it its speed. The top fin is called a dorsal fin and is used to help the dolphin balance and in fact it is not needed - so dolphins could survive without a dorsal fin.
The Humpback Whale, Megaptera novaeangliae, is part of the marine mammals group. They are found in oceans all over the world, they live in open waters. Even though they are mammals, they do not live on land (Monterey Bay Aquarium). Humpback whales are known for their magical song that can travel great distances. These gentle giants are omnivores, their main diet is krill. They are mostly found near coastlines feeding on tiny shrimp-like krill, plankton and small fish. Humpbacks migrate annually from summer feeding grounds near the poles to warmer winter breeding water closer to the Equator. Humpback whales are powerful swimmers, and they use their massive tail fin, called a fluke to propel themselves through or even out of the water! Mothers and their young swim close together, often touching one another with their flippers with what appears to be gestures of affection. Even though it takes more than one year for a humpback whale to grow fully, mother whales leave them after one year (National Geographic).
Dolphins are well known for their agility and playful behavior in the wildlife of all the oceans in the world. They have many characteristics, and also there are a variety of different types and kinds of dolphins, which make them very intelligent creatures. Dolphins are smart marine mammals and great swimmers. They are known to be very friendly to humans and other wildlife creatures, dolphins often display a playful attitude which makes them popular to human nature and the culture. They can be seen jumping out of the water,riding waves, play fighting and occasionally interacting with people swimming in the water. Dolphins love hanging along the sea shores of all beaches around the coast, where it is warm and tropical(Fun dolphin facts).Dolphins are believed to be the most intelligent animals on earth
These dolphins are the type of dolphins common people would see at the Zoo or on a T.V. programed performance. Like the Common Dolphins, the Atlantic Bottle-Nosed Dolphins are highly skillful echolocators. They can produce a range of sounds, like a click, using it to analyze any object around them in the ocean (Whitfield 114). According to Whitfield on page 114, they can produce up to 100 clicks a second. They will use these clicks to also find food. They mainly eat Bottom-dwelling fish in inshore waters or surface swimming fish. They can do many other objects with their echolocation finder and using their