Dolphins, whales in captivity

Nature Trust (Malta) said tomorrow is the day when dolphins and whales that died in captivity are remembered.

The day is dedicated also to all the dolphins and whales still held captive in dolphinariums.

Nature Trust (Malta) said it believes that dolphins in captivity suffer to entertain audiences. However, the people behind the business of dolphinariums would want people to believe that their aim is to protect dolphins in the wild through research and education.

The truth is that the industry is there to make money and not to provide education or protect the dolphins. Most dolphins are captured from the wild and enclosed in tanks for the rest of their lives, which normally does not exceed 12 years.

In the wild, dolphins live up to 40 years, they live in complex social structures and in a rich environment, swim up to 50 miles a day and dive to depths of 500 feet.

In captivity dolphins live isolated in barren tanks.

They have to perform unnatural tricks similar to circus animals and beg for their food or give rides to be fed.