Aquatic Animals In Captivity

Is aquatic wildlife kept in confinement for their safety or for human enjoyment? Animals have been used for entertainment purposes since television was invented and gathered controversy in 1993 when the film Free Willy was released (Evans). This scandal encouraged viewers to investigate the conditions of the whale, Keiko, and found that he began to rely heavily on humans even after his release (Evans). Aquariums are continued to be visited without researching about the harm that they are causing animals seemingly being saved from extinction. By keeping aquatic animals in captivity, humans have caused death, lack of independence after release, and incorrect education for visitors.

Aquatic animals kept in captivity have, on multiple occasions,

There is a multitude of issues apparent in aquatic animal’s while being kept in an aquarium. Dolphins have had issues that include chronic illness, injury, old age, and timid personality (HSUS). According to Zoos and Aquariums, dolphins and whales also have issues with intellectual and emotional development while being in capacity. These issues persisting after release would only leave the animal at a disadvantage. A timid personality will not suit a wild dolphin or aid with survival after release but will benefit the dolphin when only relying on humans. The HSUS says that dolphins act “like domesticated dogs” while in confinement. The view that dolphins and other aquatic animals could sufficiently be released after being raised by humans is opposed when the HSUS states that only some are can be released sufficiently “if allowed to once again become self-sufficient”. A chance of the animal not being able to adapt well to the wild can be avoided by not confining animals, thus keeping independence among the dolphins. The transition from being used for our entertainment into having to learn how to live on their own is not ideal for the animal’s health. Many supporters of aquariums believe that raising animals in confinement and releasing them when they can sustain for themselves are protecting the endangered. People are taking an animal from the wild and relocating it into a man-made area, thus changing nothing about the environment they were taken from. Although some animals can regain independence among the wild, the belief that the animals are safer in capacity is being acted against with releasing them. Causing the animals to become dependent and then releasing them into the wild after believing capacity was right for them is contradictory. According to the HSUS, “The