Dolphins have figured in man's culture for centuries. They appear often in Greek mythology and many coins from that time show a man or boy riding on a dolphin's back. For the Ancient Greeks dolphins following in the wake of a ship was a sign of a safe voyage. And even today there are tales of people being rescued by dolphins.
Nowadays they are popular for animal-assisted therapy, for people with problems and disabilities. But experts say there is no proof that dolphins are more efficient than ordinary pets and there is evidence that such forced close contact with humans, including even swimming with them is actually distressing for dolphins.
Teams of specially trained dolphins are used for important war missions as mine seekers in enemy waters. The dolphins find mines using their natural sonar. But the clever creatures are trained to stay away from them when they see them. They are taught to drop a floating marker where the explosives are, which shows divers where to deal with them. This way the dolphins are not in danger.
Dolphins also make popular film stars, the best known being Flipper. In a 1990's science fiction television series SeaQuest DSV a dolphin named Darwin could communicate with English speakers using a vocoder, a fictional invention which translated the clicks and whistles into English and back. The Day Of The Dolphin sees trained dolphins being kidnapped to perform a naval military assassination, with explosives. The popularity of dolphins has led to the opening of many dolphinariums around the world. Most of these places simply exploit dolphins, under the guise of being educational or offering breeding and conservation programmes. In fact, quite rightly, the more strict animal welfare laws have forced many dolphinariums to close their doors. However, hundreds still exist and people are still thoughtless enough to visit them.
20071121-junior--dolph2.jpgOccasionally, dolphins make an appearance in computer games. Best known is the Ecco the Dolphin game series. The games are named after their main character, Ecco, a young Bottlenose Dolphin. The Ecco the Dolphin games hinge on the idea that cetaceans are sapient beings and have their own underwater society.
Dolphins also appear in books. In the story The Music Of Dolphins, by Karen Hesse, a girl is raised by dolphins from the age of four, until she is discovered by a coast guard.
It is obvious how these "smiling," friendly creatures have attracted our attention and curiosity. But all those concerned for their well being and safety are determined to stop them being exploited and made to work or perform tricks that leave them in danger, injured or distressed.
The latest issue of Animal Magic suggests you visit the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society website: www.yod2007.org/en/NewsEvents.index.html to learn more.
Nowadays they are popular for animal-assisted therapy, for people with problems and disabilities. But experts say there is no proof that dolphins are more efficient than ordinary pets and there is evidence that such forced close contact with humans, including even swimming with them is actually distressing for dolphins.
Teams of specially trained dolphins are used for important war missions as mine seekers in enemy waters. The dolphins find mines using their natural sonar. But the clever creatures are trained to stay away from them when they see them. They are taught to drop a floating marker where the explosives are, which shows divers where to deal with them. This way the dolphins are not in danger.
Dolphins also make popular film stars, the best known being Flipper. In a 1990's science fiction television series SeaQuest DSV a dolphin named Darwin could communicate with English speakers using a vocoder, a fictional invention which translated the clicks and whistles into English and back. The Day Of The Dolphin sees trained dolphins being kidnapped to perform a naval military assassination, with explosives. The popularity of dolphins has led to the opening of many dolphinariums around the world. Most of these places simply exploit dolphins, under the guise of being educational or offering breeding and conservation programmes. In fact, quite rightly, the more strict animal welfare laws have forced many dolphinariums to close their doors. However, hundreds still exist and people are still thoughtless enough to visit them.
20071121-junior--dolph2.jpgOccasionally, dolphins make an appearance in computer games. Best known is the Ecco the Dolphin game series. The games are named after their main character, Ecco, a young Bottlenose Dolphin. The Ecco the Dolphin games hinge on the idea that cetaceans are sapient beings and have their own underwater society.
Dolphins also appear in books. In the story The Music Of Dolphins, by Karen Hesse, a girl is raised by dolphins from the age of four, until she is discovered by a coast guard.
It is obvious how these "smiling," friendly creatures have attracted our attention and curiosity. But all those concerned for their well being and safety are determined to stop them being exploited and made to work or perform tricks that leave them in danger, injured or distressed.
The latest issue of Animal Magic suggests you visit the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society website: www.yod2007.org/en/NewsEvents.index.html to learn more.