Amazing.

Amazing. I picture this is what it would be like, to be a volunteer, helping to save the dolphins in Taiji, Japan.

Watch 2.5 minute video clip here.

This slideshow called, "My Trip to The Cove" was made by: Leilani Münter & Craig Davidson
Featuring the song, "Whales Can Sing"
By: Duncan Walsh and the Wantanabes

Love it. 

SeaWorld, Orlando.

Recently, I had the pleasure of talking to a friend about her recent experiences at SeaWorld, Orlando.
I found her pictures amazing, and asked if I could use them here on my blog... because I felt that they really captured the true life of a dolphin in captivity.

When asked about her experience at the park, her answers were so insightful. While I hope to make it SeaWorld Orlando and the big park on my list... the Miami SeaAquarium, sometime this year... I will take with me these observations. I am soaking up everything like a sponge this year. These pictures really put together what I saw at SeaWorld, San Diego, (that same week!) and what Robyn saw at SeaWorld, Orlando hand in hand. Look for my blog on San Diego... coming soon to see what I mean.

Thank you Robyn, for sharing your story and your pictures with me. Your pictures, amazing. Thank you for answering my questions, and taking the time to listen to me talk about my passion. 

On to what I learned from Robyn's pictures....
[All pictures courtesy & copyright of Robyn Beals, 2010.]

These pictures Robyn got of the tank were AWESOME. It was stated that this is the tank that the pod stays in all the time. Now, I'm not able to tell the dimensions of the tank, or how many dolphins are in the pod- but you can just tell by the pictures... look how small the tank is! Robyn said from her observations, "it didn't seem deep enough". I would definitely have to agree with her there. In some of these pics, the dolphins look like they are swimming practically on top of one another.

Next, she got some GREAT close up shots of the dolphins. I asked about the teeth of the dolphins, because recently, I have heard about the "not so great" dental care that marine animals receive at these parks. Robyn stated that it was interesting I had asked her about that, because she asked about [their teeth], and was told that they start to break down due to age. Then why is it that in the wild, you will see a dolphin that lives to be 20+ years older than the oldest dolphin in captivity with teeth? When I post my blog about my trip to San Diego, I will post what they said about dental care there. They were totally honest, and it really made me mad to learn that the rumors I heard... were true, at least in San Diego. (I ALWAYS check with staff before posting actual facts about specific parks I have been to, BTW). I think this by Robyn pic says it all.

When I was in San Diego, the lower jaw on the dolphins I was with, was almost absent- pretty much worn down to the jaw bone. The upper teeth still intact, but not like they should be. When I saw this pic that Robyn took, I was in shock at the tooth loss, at both upper and lower. I wonder what the age of this dolphin is.

Robyn mentioned that they were given "dolphin candy" to feed the dolphins- what I noticed in the pics to be small fish and the like. So many times, dolphin's food is filled with Mallox, and other stomach meds to relieve the dolphin's stomach issues due to stress. ["The Cove". 2009. ]

I'd like to end with what Robyn said about her trip, because I think it sums up how many people, including myself in some aspects, feel about these wonderful creatures.

"My only question for all of this is why do they have them in captivity in the first place? (removed) had said that with sea world they are huge at saving these sea animals and help them but to have all them in such a cramped space to live seems to me the opposite of what they are saying they do for them. I know that they are well fed as in little fish that was ref to as "dolphin candy" and to me that doesn't sound healthy enough. I honestly have no idea what a "sick" or unhealthy dolphin looks like. I know that the trainers love their job but don't need any special schooling to do what they do, and it made me wonder. I always thought that they went to a trade school for this..  that one dolphin was really cute, he fallowed me around for that whole experience. He "laughed" at me and nudged my hand after I gave him the fish." 

The "smile" or "laugh" from a dolphin is often mistaken. Dolphin's have this look on their faces, that make it seem like they are always smiling, but they are not. They are wild animals, whose home is the ocean.
Not the tank you see here.
Although this looks like a smile, don't let it fool you.

Thanks again, Robyn. You've helped open up our eyes once again to the world of why dolphin should not be in captivity. Thanks for your answers, you willingness to share, and your love of these animals. You're right... they truly are "mystical creatures" as you called them. :)

~Amanda

News from Japan...

News from Ric O'Barry's Blog, from www.savejapandolphins.org:

Some sad news comes from Japan this week. The first dolphin slaughter of the season has occurred in Taiji, Japan this past week/weekend. 15 Risso's dolphins was brutally killed and taken to the slaughterhouse. [O'Barry. www.savejapandolphins.org. 9/30/10].

Looks like Ric and his team of volunteers have been closely monitoring the Cove, and it seems as if the dolphins who have been captured have so far been let go... which has been a good thing. However, there are also dolphins that have been herded into new open water pens. Additionally, they have been taken to the Taiji Whale Museum, for the purposes of captivity. Some may stay at this facility, and some will be kept to export to zoos and aquariums. [O'Barry. www.savejapandolphins.org.  9/30/10].

 

Picture of a dolphin capture in Taiji, Japan. [O'Barry has given permission for this picture to be used royalty-free].

If you haven't had a chance to read Ric's blog, it's quite interesting to see what goes on and how he is peacefully trying to stop what is going on in Japan RIGHT NOW. As I stated when I first stated this blog, I would LOVE to work with him... to be a volunteer with this project. But, what I would love even more, is for the slaughter to end, so that Ric wouldn't need any more volunteers in the first place. 

Follow Ric's Blog Here....

Photo of Ric, with dolphin meat being sold in stores. Dolphin meat contains toxic levels of mercury, which is one of the reasons dolphin slaughter needs to end. (READ: ONE of the reasons.) [O'Barry has given permission for this picture to be used royalty-free].

Let's hope for a better week in Taiji....

Animals want to help too, you know! ;)

This is my dog, Joey.

This is his toy, Flipper.

Joey only wants to help the dolphins too, you know. He saved it from it's captive bin at Target. It's now free to swim in our living room. He loves it dearly... caring it around the house. Maybe he's a lover of dolphins too?

A Major Victory for Dolphins in the Solomon Islands

A Major Victory for Saving Dolphins in the Solomon Islands. Click Here.
Way to go Ric O'Barry. As Ric states in his article, "The Solomon Islands are right behind Japan in terms of the number of dolphins brutally killed each year." He has helped by getting the Solomon Islands to agree to stop the killing of dolphins for 2 years. That's a start.
Watch the 4 minute clip here, of the agreement discussion and signing.
Awesome news.

I have some great blogs coming up... I hope they touch the lives of the people who read them.
-Amanda

Heroes.

Rick O'Barry is pretty my hero as of right now. His work and activism is amazing.

Click here to watch an amazing video about what he does, done to the song "Heroes"(cover done by the Wallflowers). Amazing. 

Please watch this.

Click here.... It's 2 minutes long. "The Cove PSA".

Watch this.
Please.
It's 2 minutes.

I watch it often; it drives me.

If you want, go to www.takepart.com/thecove for more info.

Thanks.

-Amanda

Shedd Aquarium, IL

Visiting the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, IL was quite the experience.
Now, remember... I am focusing this site on dolphins and larger marine animals only... although I know there are many other animals that reside at these facilities.

I shall tell my story, using photos.

So, while here, I refused to see the dolphin show. Watching dolphins do tricks for food really pisses me off, and I really wasn't in the mood for it that day. However, I did get a chance to talk to Shedd staff about their dolphins.

 The 3 dolphins that were "starring" in the show are housed here. Doesn't look very big, does it? When asked how deep, I was told 20 feet. I noticed a small poster next the side of the tank, that showed parts of the world where the dolphins "may" have come from... highlighting the coasts of California, as well as a few other parts of the world.... including Japan. As soon as I saw that, I was on a mission to find out where the heck these dolphins came from. Sorry you can't see them in the pics, they are underwater when I took the pics. I more wanted to show the space they had to swim.

Funny how when you start to ask questions of staff, no one seems to know answers... or maybe, they just don't want to say. I finally found a staff person by the Beluga tank who was very open, honest, and nice with his answers. He told me upfront that the dolphins at the Shedd were caught (and I'm using his terms) off the coast of California. They were not brought to the Shedd because they were injured or sick... they were simply brought to the Shedd. This made me extremely angry, knowing that dolphins are very social animals... and were probably caught from a pod of hundreds. He said he was pretty sure they had been at the Shedd the whole time, but that some animals at the Shedd had moved from aquarium to aquarium. Some, had also been born in captivity. This is sad in it's own right... these animals will never even know what it's like to be out in the open ocean. While I left this man with a heavy heart, I was grateful for his honesty.

Crowds....

And crowds....

And crowds of people came to watch the dolphins....

Which makes me wonder... what do they watch and think of all day?

No tank can compare to the ocean... especially one about the size of a bathtub.

So much to tell.... so much.

 SeaWorld, San Diego, CA

I can't even put into words what it was like... to see such a beautiful creature... in such a small tank for it's size. I stood there, watching people file in for the "show", and felt my stomach churn.

Before I go any further, I want to explain myself. Some people may wonder... if seeing animals in captivity bothers me, why do I visit these parks? Well, one simple answer. To learn. I have read and watched anything I can get my hands on about animals in captivity. I wish there was something I could do to help them all... but my heart strings simply go out to dolphins and orcas the most. I have read the research, and other people's opinions- on both sides. Now, I figured, it was time to hit the field for a little research. There is nothing like seeing this stuff first hand, let me tell you.

So, while I hate forking over money and "supporting" these parks... I feel like the experience I am gaining in invaluable in return. That way, I can come away with my own opinion, and not someone else's.

While I am there, I observe.
I watch.
I listen.
I take pictures.
I ask questions of the staff.
I watch what attractions bring in the most people.
Sometimes I leave sad... but more so, I find that I have been leaving empowered. Empowered because what I am seeing is not positive... and it makes me want to help. I am not saying that what these parks do is all bad. I am saying that what I observe and what I have researched is not in the best interest of these larger animals. Their home is the ocean.

You'll notice that now I have learned how to post pics. Yeah! The pics I take are mostly of the living conditions of the animals. I also like to take pictures of the crowds of people they attract, because it amazes me. These animals amaze me too.... but, more about that later.

So far this year, I have been able to visit The Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, IL and SeaWorld in San Diego, CA. My future blogs will be detailed posts of these 2 trips. I hope to visit the Miami SeaAquarium, where I keep reading of the Orca Lolita- a whale that is growing much too large for her tiny tank. There have been many cross city (and country) protests to "Free Lolita"... if it were only that simple. Sadly, freeing these animals to the wild often kills them, as was the case with orca from the "Free Willy Movies", when he was finally released.

With that said, I hope that someone out there is able to read this blog and able to use it as a research tool... to form their own opinions... just like I'm doing. Trust me, it's not looking good out there, and these animals need our support. They didn't ask to be put in these tanks... they didn't climb in there... their home is in the ocean.