Mary Caruana, Naxxar
No cruelty to dolphins at marine park
Some readers have claimed that the dolphins kept at the Mediterraneo Marine Park are being forced or deprived. Indeed, they are deprived of freedom, from swimming in open waters. But I have seen with my own eyes that it is not possible to force a dolphin into behaving in a particular way in a presentation, or what many erroneously call ‘circus tricks’.
Dolphins in dolphinaria get to choose whether they want to perform or not, and this decision is respected. It is impossible to force them because they are extremely strong. They generally seem to enjoy their show time.
There have been times, when I was present, when the dolphins refused to do the presentation, and this decision was respected by the trainers and also the audience.
Fish are not used as a bribe but as a positive reinforcement to their behaviour (which is now being changed to strictly natural behaviour, i.e. no jumps through hoops or over ropes). They also get toys, rubs and kisses, which they love. All this is the exact opposite of being forced and deprived.
These five adult dolphins and two calves are living in a controlled environment. After being enclosed for a few years they become dependent on human beings for food, health and motivation.
A report from the Canadian Advisory Committee on Marine Mammals concluded that “survival requires a series of complex skills plus physical and physiological competence”, and releasing dolphins that have been enclosed for extended periods would be “inappropriate”.
Mediterraneo Marine Park forms part of the European Association of Aquatic Mammals (EAAM), an organisation of professional people including veterinarians, researchers and biologists which has regulations and guidelines by which the park has to abide. Besides, there are Maltese laws and regulations which have to be followed, and officials visit the park from time to time to see they are observed.
The dolphins at the park can serve as ambassadors for the rest of the species (which is not endangered).
The dolphins at Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq have a clear body language and their eyes are open books; with the attention and affection they give and get in return, they can steal anyone’s heart.
I, therefore, do not understand why the Ministry of Education sent a circular to schools not to take students to activities at the park. Since the park is observing all laws and regulations, I do not see the consistency of the ministry’s action.
After all, schoolchildren do not go there to watch shows, but to be educated through presentations and interaction programmes, so they can become more sensitive towards these animals.
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Romina Sah Frendo
Oct 13th 2010, 10:51
We all agree that we all have dolphins' interest at heart. We all agree that many trainers love the dolphins. We disagree that there is anything remotely educational about having animals perform. Supporting this and any such enterprise is simply asking park owners to catch more dolphins from the wild. If 5 have died, these other 5 must have come from somewhere. Hence my point is proven. As long as people support dolphinariums, dolphins will continue to be caught. Being incredibly sentient and intelligent, these creatures long for their God-given right to Freedom. Given adequate rehabilitation, as happens in many countries worldwide, these dolphins can return to the wild. Now how about turning the dolphinarium into a rehabiliation project? Or would that not bring in the money? Of course dolphins are 'taken care of' if they bring in 100 euros each time they swam with someone....it's all about money. Not animal welfare. Let us be honest and call a spade, a spade. Animals in captivity, animals used for profit-making is wrong and can never be right.
Annalise Falzon
Oct 12th 2010, 14:11
I think that humanity has a long way to go. Learning about and appreciating animals should NEVER in this age signify the capture and confinement of an animal made to perform for the rest of its life. Dolphins are being USED for entertainment. And supporting this will signify many many more captures from the wild - a process in which a whole pod can be disrupted not to mention the deaths and injuries that ensue. We have never seen any footage being shown by the park of how the 6 dolphins were in the wild. How did they decide which ones to capture and bring to Malta? What happened to the rest of the pod? how much was paid for them and where is that money going if not to fuel further dolphin hunts? What happened exactly to the other 5 dolphins which died as well as at least one sealion? If this is all done in the fairest of ways why did the company highjack CETFREE campaigns by threatening advertising companies not to work with them anymore if they also worked on animal awareness campaign? Why do they always refuse to join in public debates?
John C Betts
Oct 12th 2010, 18:54
I agree wholeheartedly with Ms Falzon.
And since when are 'ambassadors' (as the Mediterraneo dolphins are referred to in the letter) held captive or bred captive? Sounds more like slavery of clearly intelligent individuals to me.
Mary J Caruana
Oct 11th 2010, 11:07
Dear Franco
Do you really think that all those who do not agree with you, are people coming from the park? Is this a battle between the park and the rest of the world? It is obvious that people like you who have never visited the park to have commments like yours. But it doesn't mean that whoever has a different opinion than yours, s/he has to be working for the park.
As I previously said, I have visited the park a number of times, I have read many articles, books and documentaries to come up with my conclusion. Do I have to prove my intelligence to express my opinion? Do you think that people who disagree with you are illiterate people? So please, give me a break.
Let's all have one aim. Well being for all the animals, and well being for these 7 dolphins.
Franco Farrugia
Oct 11th 2010, 22:43
You have said nothing of the article that I humbly asked one and all to read, Ms Caruana.
To be intelligent does not have anything to do with just reading and learning - the heart, lady, has to be open for change. It is a pity that you are one of those who believe in animals being held in captivity to give pleasure to human beings! Yes, in such matter, I believe that I am right and you ar wrong.
Franco Farrugia
Oct 11th 2010, 10:32
Ms Mary Caruana,
Ms Stefani Celie-Sarlo,
Mr Carmel Pule',
Mr/Ms Mangion,
I wonder how you would feel, how your life would be, forced by another species to spend your entire life in a bath-tub!
Enough said.
Franco Farrugia
j mangion
Oct 11th 2010, 21:51
dear Franco everyone has an opinion,as mary caruana said dolphins that are captive cannot be put in the wild!!!! They are used to human contact and being looked after!!.I donno but the way your saying is that you prefer to put them in the wild and not letting them survive,but as i said everyone has their opinion! ,and as for j Falzon i'm very sorry but you don't speak to a person like that 'Shame on you!!!!'.Not everyone agrees with you but that doesn't mean I should say shame on you!!!!!!.And as for me in a bath tub I prefer to be loved and cared for than killed for food.To Joe xuerreb cute and ugly as you say annimals all show when they are loved ,as your saying example a dog shows you love as a ticket for a meal,and i don't believe that all annimals have feelings and they show it.Parks today aren't like before they don't do tricks like in a circus most of the presentation is medical behaviors and they give you information about dolphins!
Franco Farrugia
Oct 12th 2010, 13:38
You are willingly ignoring the main thrust of the argument: whether animals should be kept in captivity for the entertainment of mankind, or not. QED.
Joe Xuereb
Oct 11th 2010, 10:11
2) Dolphins are not an endangered species but they are caught inappropriately for food. And for entertaining people. Same difference.
Imprisoning anything is never a good option. The dolphin will tell you that with its eyes. Do not misinterpret that endearing look. Like a wide-angle camera lens, it's only a fish-eye. In fact, the dolphin, like the whale, is a mammal. As such, it has feelings exactly because it is intelligent. It's intelligence should not be exploited. Because at the end of the day it is still an animals and as such, can be manipulated. And it mustn't be.
Joe Xuereb
Oct 11th 2010, 10:05
1) Quote from the letter: ' a clear body language and their eyes are open books; with the attention and affection they give and get in return'.
Some animals are cute and some aren't. Dolphins look cute and they respond to being given titbits. Kittens too fall into the cute category. Iguanas, an 'ugly' if magnificent reptile also kept as a pet by some people, isn't cute. Not cuddly. Does not give affection even if it receives it. Nothing 'endearing' about the eyes either. Unlike kittens and dolphins.
Stop giving 'cuddly' animals human qualities they don't have. An animal shows affection because it uses people as a meal-ticket. And people use animals to line their pockets. Even to the detriment of their family life, we're told. Quite! Money talks! Plus often, as in filling a vacuum in one's personal life by erroneously giving an animal human qualities it could never have - because it's an animal.
Quote: 'releasing dolphins that have been enclosed for extended periods would be “inappropriate”. Far better not to catch them in the first place then the situation would not arise. Just because some are inappropriately caught does not warrant their capture to line pockets.
cont./
Franco Farrugia
Oct 10th 2010, 22:12
And for those who are too disinterested, or lazy to look up the weblink I just gave, allow me to cut-and-paste the most salient points:
'the degree of confinement in an aquarium is extreme, for no tank, no matter how large, can come close to meeting the needs of animals who spend their lives in social groups swimming long distances in the ocean. Joyce Tischler, of the Animal Legal Defense Fund, described keeping a six-ton orca in Sea World’s tanks as akin to keeping a human in a bathtub for his entire life. David Phillips, director of the International Marine Mammal Project for the Earth Island Institute, which led the efforts to rehabilitate the orca Keiko – made famous by the movie Free Willy – said “Orcas deserve a better fate than living in cramped pools.”
'But if we are pointing the finger at Sea World for what it does to its captive animals, we should also look more broadly at the way we confine performing animals. In most countries, it is possible to visit zoos and see bored animals pacing back and forth in cages, with nothing to do but wait for the next meal.'
Thank you for reading.
Franco Farrugia
Oct 10th 2010, 22:09
The Ministry of Education is 100% correct in not allowing students to visit such parks during educational hours.
The writer, Ms Mary Caruana, as well as Ms S Celie-Sarlo are completely out of line and wrong in what they state.
Do not listen to my words: if you want to know how much the opinions of these two ladies are totally unethical and ridculous, please, read the following article to which this weblink will take you:
http://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/singer60/English
I always suggest that people should first read, and read and read, before commenting.
Perhaps the two ladies should tell us what relationship they have with the Marine Park there is in Bahar ic-Caghak. They should also tell us in what way they are involved with animals.
Thank you.
Franco Farrugia
j mangion
Oct 10th 2010, 20:47
I agree 100% with marija and i'm glad that there is some one with common sense,I think people shouldn't talk against the park when they haven't even been there!!!!! you have to see with your own eyes before you speak!!! i Know that these dolphins are well looked after and people should try and do more things important if you are real annimal lovers like stopping slaughtering killing whales and dolphins for food!!!!!!!! thats cruelty!!!!!.instead of trying to ruin the lives of the only dolphins we have in malta that are being well looked after!!.Anyway if you people go to the park you would now that dolphins dont do tricks !!!! but its a presentation to give people information about these lovely annimals , the only jumps they do is just a fraction of what they do in the natural enviroment.Most of the presentation is medical behaviours,So please the people out there that disagree with caruana do everyone a favour and stop the thousands of whales and dolphins that are being killed for nothing!.As well for the ministry of education i think its really upsetting they they are depriving children from seeing a dolphin and learning about them!!!!.
mary j caruana
Oct 10th 2010, 20:42
My goodness many of you are so brainwashed. Please come back to reality. Do your research before you comment. Do you all seriously think that if these 7 dolphins are set free, they are going to make it? This is what i mea when i say tha i care for these 7 dolphins, i wish them to be healthy and be loved, which i am sure they are. And as much as all of you i wish that no more dolphins are caught from the wild. Who's in is in, who's out is out. I dot see other options. These 7 residents are dependant for food and health. Freeing them would be a death sentence by now. Is that what you want?
franco gattomauro
Oct 10th 2010, 20:39
But apart of the obvious anger and dislike for some positive comments from some readers, anybody really interested in a serious debate and a collaboration to ensure the quality of life of the animals? Or just want to damage the image of the place and keep on with one way comunication lines? I'm sure there is a midlle way than just say shame on you, just because somebody has a different opinion. And at this point i also ask myself why there is one positive comment every 10. Just a case i immagine.
Isabella Peresso Fiorentino
Oct 10th 2010, 20:07
Dolphins belong in the wild, and not in some pool performing silly tricks so that some business man can fatten his pockets.
A dolphinarium is always cruel, no matter which way you may twist it around.
Andy Towler
Oct 10th 2010, 17:31
"strictly natural behaviour"??
Don't make me laugh. Part of their natural behaviour is to swim for mile after mile in any direction they choose, hunting for fish as they go.
Put other arguments forward for keeping animals in captivity if you like, but don't use that one.
Pule' Carmel
Oct 10th 2010, 17:13
I have many colleagues who try to prove a point by comparing everything with death.
It is better to have lost a foot in the accident rather than being dead.
It is better to be in a wheelchair than being dead.
An aging woman was told that it is better to have wrinkled skin that having an appointment with death.
In Maltese we say, " Ahjar uffff inkellha ahhhhh". I suppose this is what the dolphines are being taught, " bettter ufff here, than ahhhh in Denmark" in dolphin language of course or fish bribes, which are a sort of dolphin brail!!!
Well I suppose all this is true but it is no argument.
My experience is that most modern people all live throughout the year on an area of about 120 square miles, but I assure you that once or twice a year even free people like to travel further out, even there are pickpockets in Rumania, Criminals and murderers overseas and also the risk of travelling.Even toGozo where prices of bottled water is high. They all say , in spite of the "enemies" it is worth feeling free and having a choice in which direction to go next.
Joe Grima Brussels
Oct 10th 2010, 17:01
Did you ever hear the story of the goldfish which was released into Lake Victoria, and lived the rest of its life going round in tiny circles? For the poor fish, HER 'natural' behaviour was going round in circles, oblivious to the immensity of the lake all around her.
My humble guess is, that if the dolphins are released at Bahar ic-Caghak, they will either remain there, going round in circles, or, since they are VERY intelligent creatures, they will get ashore and try to go back to their previous, lovely home!
V Falzon
Oct 10th 2010, 15:56
Shame on you, Ms Caruana.
However round you twist it, the fact remains that a dolphinarium exploits animals to make money. So spare us the educational eyewash, will you. There is nothing educational about watching a magnificent animal reduced to doing pathetic tricks for a titbit. The Ministry did well to issue that directive. Kids should not be encouraged to associate imprisoned animals with fun and entertainment. Kids should be encouraged to abhor the oppression of animals.
Shame on you, Ms Caruana.
You write "strictly natural behaviour". Are you serious?! How can a dolphin act naturally if it lives in a glorified fishbowl?
Shame on you, Ms Caruana.
If you respect dolphins so much, start by giving them their basic right: the right to live in freedom. Or is that a human privilege?
Shame on you, Ms Caruana.
maryjcaruana
Oct 10th 2010, 14:14
Dear Mr Borg,
I do not have any interest in the park but I do have interest in the animals of that park. This information is easily accessible from internet and by visiting the park.
J. Borg
Oct 10th 2010, 19:12
apologies - but i'm no wiser....a blunt question then if you don't mind,
Do you offer services for remuneration, to the park?
Thanks again
Stefania Celie-Sarlo
Oct 10th 2010, 12:56
Finally someone who has common sense and an open mind ! I applaude you and hope this will open the eyes of the many so called animal lovers and protectors who are biased and influenced by wrong or incomplete information. One can only judge when one knows all the facts and has formed ones OWN opinion. In my opinion there has been a huge lack of this in the comments placed after every article that has been placedabout this subject. I hope my comment will be placed as I have tried to this several times but I was obviously too positive for the editor or webmaster about this subject so they did not place it. To those who wonder why I am so positive about Mediterraneo :I know first hand the love and dedication the carers have for these mammals. They and their well being comes first before their families or private lives and should be applauded instead of constantly criticised.
So please be honest to yourself before forming an opion and Mrs. Caruana, well done for getting this published !
J. Borg
Oct 10th 2010, 12:18
Ms. Caruana,
Just for clarity's sake....
could you kindly and formally clarify whether you have a direct or indirect vested interest in the park?
Thanks.
Mary J Caruana
Oct 10th 2010, 11:34
One should seek to save the dolphins that have yet to be caught. Let’s try to stop dolphins from being slaughtered in Denmark, from being caught in nets, from being caught for food as in Japan. Fighting a park where it sticks by the rules and were the animals are treated at best, the energy is all wasted. it is useless asking everyone to watch “The Cove” if this is not the perfect picture of reality. With a simple research on youtube, one can find an “investigation” of this documentary, proving it is against American and European laws to import dolphins from Japan. Trainers seen in the documentary are all Asians.
NGOs should aim to pressure governments to enforce the laws. Stopping people from going to dolphinaria will not stop this activity. Unfortunately, people are misinformed, and people should see with their eyes and touch with their fingers before they judge. One needs to be open enough to hear both sides of the story. So I wish that we all find a balance, and that we base our ideas on true facts. Go and see with your eyes.