Activists urge to stop offers dolphins in parks

Women and miscellaneous

A few years after the launch of a campaign to stop deadly whale shows at SeaWorld Parks in the United States following the screening of Blackfish, animal rights activists called for a halt to circus-like dolphins in popular amusement parks.

At a press conference at a hotel close to Seaworld Park in San Diego, the Society for the Ethical Treatment of Animals released a report documenting the physical and behavioral damage that dolphins suffer from in live performances and detention.

Dr Heather Raleigh, a veterinary doctor at the association, said one of their main concerns was the practices of trainers who ride dolphins in the water while standing on their posterior fins or their beak-like nostrils.

Such conditions affect the sensitive lower jaw of these marine mammals, which may damage their hearing, damage joints and muscles, and increase other injuries resulting from in-basin detention.

"We call on CNN World at least to prevent the dolphins from being used or to use them as surfboards in these ridiculous circus shows," Dr Raleigh said, "We are asking them to move these animals to seaside habitats so that they can survive."

Exposure to dolphins "for such abnormal behavior" may cause greater hostility among dolphins themselves.

At a separate press conference, officials at Sea World Entertainment defended their treatment of the dolphins and denied the offers were causing any damage.

"They are receiving royal treatment," said Hendrik Knollins, vice president of the company responsible for the animal health and welfare department, and insisted that if the said practices caused the animals harm, "they will not be repeated."

. (tagsToTranslate) Dolphins (t) Dolphin Shows (t) America (t) Whale Shows (t) Black Fish