By Heather Rally
Whales and dolphins are perfectly adapted to life in the ocean. Orcas, for example, are far-ranging apex-predators, with incredible intelligence and complex emotional lives. The enriching ocean environment provides variability and presents physical and cognitive challenges that promote psychological and physical health. When whales are confined to barren, concrete tanks that are a fraction of the size of their natural range, they are deprived of the ability to engage in their most fundamental behavior needs. Captive orcas cannot dive, hunt, navigate the open ocean, or coordinate and bond with their pod. All of these characteristics are ingrained in their basic biology and are essential for wild orca survival.
In captivity, whales and dolphins are frequently held in isolation or unnatural social groups with unrelated or genetically distinct subspecies. These stressful social circumstances lead to heightened aggression and even deadly attacks. Aggression and social alienation can have serious health consequences for cetaceans, from immune suppression and infectious disease to injury and death. Other aberrant, repetitive behaviors that develop as a result of chronic stress and deprivation are often self-injurious and can have serious health consequences. Thus, the psychological scars of captivity are not only indicative of suffering; they are also deadly.
Despite decades of so-called advances in veterinary and husbandry care for captive cetaceans, evidence demonstrates that we cannot keep these animals happy or healthy in marine parks. This is corroborated by that fact that captive orcas continue to succumb to premature death, often by infectious disease. All evidence suggests that seaside sanctuaries can provide a more spacious, enriching, dynamic environment to promote orca health and wellbeing. The seaside sanctuary model for cetaceans is not only feasible; it is also the only humane option and presents an exciting new opportunity to reform our educational system into one that promotes genuine awe and respect for the natural world.
As a veterinarian, I am acutely aware of the myriad of logistical and animal health challenges that await us on the path to forging a better future for captive cetaceans. The site must be chosen carefully, with considerations for a variety of agricultural, industrial, geographic, oceanographic and anthropogenic conditions to mitigate hazards to animal health and the environment. The site must have physical parameters that meet the unique needs of the resident species, accessibility to facilitate complex logistics and animal care, and be responsibly placed to mitigate the impact on local ecology.
In facing these challenges with optimism and collaboration, however, we have an opportunity to provide daily choice, physical fitness, longevity and enhanced wellbeing to captive whales. Undoubtedly, the psychological scars of captivity will remain and existing health problems will persist. Whales entering the sanctuary environment will require extensive rehabilitation and life-long enrichment, husbandry and veterinary care. Trainers, husbandry staff and veterinarians will be required on an equal, if not more rigorous, basis due to the unique opportunities and challenges of the ocean environment. Thus, the value of collaboration cannot be understated in this endeavor if the ultimate goal is to provide the best for these animals as is humanely possible.
In the interest of the health and wellbeing of the animals for whom we all care so deeply, it is imperative that the marine mammal scientific community collectively work towards a more humane world for captive cetaceans. A carefully managed seaside sanctuary can provide captive whales with the range of opportunities they need to thrive. My hope is that the world will join us in making this vision a reality.
Heather Rally is a wildlife veterinarian and a member of the Whale Sanctuary Project Advisory Board.