Animal welfare advocate & dolphin swims

[miatamel]

Oh goodness, I really don't want to start a big debate about animal rights but I am really concerned and need to know the opinions of people who have the same concerns and have done the dolphin encounters:

Animal issues are big for me: Although I contribute to PETA, I don't throw fake blood on folks. I'm not vegan or even vegetarian. I do try to preach spaying and neutering where I can and we do not go to circuses and I'm pretty iffy on zoos. I try to teach care and compassion to animals in our choices to my two girls.

So, how are the dolphin excursions, specifically on Blue Lagoon? My girls really want to do one on our September cruise but I am so very hesitant. I would be very upset if I saw that their space was limited and they seemed to be distressed or not treated very well. If we do this, I would like to be comfortable with my choice as well as the girls enjoying it instead of cringing while they enjoy it (and making my husband miserable )

I'm very conflicted on my disagreeing with "animals as entertainment" stance and this whole dolphin excursion that my daughters are pining for--is it a teachable moment why we don't do it or a teachable moment after we do it? Hate to be hypocritical and would like my daughters to understand what I believe in but at the same time hate for them to miss an amazing experience if it is, in fact, well done and educational and the animals are well cared for in an appropriate habitat.

I would love to hear from anyone that has the same issues as me and did the dolphin excursions and whether they felt distressed about their choice or not after seeing and doing it, specifically the one at Blue Lagoon. (I guess this could also apply to the sea lion encounter if we chose that one, instead).

 

[Page4]

I have a client that is the director of the local zoo and his wife is some big shot is the Human Society. I asked him what he thought about dolphin swims. His opinion was that most of them are OK, especially the ones that have them in ocean water. This guy has worked all over the world, so I take his opinion as a solid one.
btw, We did the Blue Lagoon thing and liked it!!

 

[marybaby08]

IMHO, Don't do it. Your girls would love it, you would hate it. They are beautiful animals and is really amazing been there and interact with them, but they are not in the ocean swimming free. It looks like they take good care of them but their space is limited. I did it and love been able to touch them and kiss them (my 3 yo love hugging them) but at the end I was thinking about others dolphins that we have see swimming free in the ocean near our boat and feel kind of strange (sad). I'm not an activist and have been in circus and sea world.

 

[vegs1]

A few years ago we did a dolphin swim. The whole time I was there, I was thinking that these dolphins would swim over a vast amount of space in a day if free and that the enclosure they are in, while quite large, suddenly seemed quite inadequate.

A friend of mine watched a movie called "The Cove" which shows hidden cameras and undercover work being done in Japan where they literally herd the dolphins into this cove, let dolphin encounter programs from around the world pick ones they want and then kill the rest. I ended up watching it and was absolutely appalled. I realize there are two sides to every story and we don't get the "other" side from this movie but I saw enough to never want to do one again.

I guess I feel that if the dolphins had a choice (and they don't) they wouldn't choose to be in an enclosure being entertainment for tourists.

Please...no flames...it's just my own opinion and everyone else has their own. If you choose to do a dolphin swim, that's your choice. I just won't do one again.

 

[Lollipop's Mom]

Google on how they capture these dolphins. You won't go! We absolutely are not PETA people, but do not support these, circuses, zoos, etc

 

[mdinowitz]

If you are worried about it, don't do it. You want to be able to enjoy your vacation, not stress. There are plenty of other ways to interact with dolphins in thier natural environment. Lots of vacation spots have local captains that will take you out on a dolphin tour on a small boat- and you can get pretty up close and personal with them, without disturbing them. We chartered a small boat at Disney's Hilton Head resort for a morning, and the dolphins were not shy at all. It also made us feel alot better that the captain reassured us that threre were very strict fines for any of the boats that try to lure the dolphins with food, or disturb thier normal routine in any way.

 

[Lilbunnyk]

The animal at blue lagoon are well cared for and loved but are they happy? If you look at their web site, you will find that a lot of these dolphins were wild caught. Someone mentioned "The Cove", I have watched it as well and highly recommend anyone considering a dolphin swim to watch this. You will see how traumatic it is for the dolphins to get caught and how for every one that makes it, thousands die. Instead of doing a dolphin swim we did our own excursion out of Key West one time where we went out on a small boat and found dolphins in the wild. We were allowed to jump into the ocean and snorkel around, if the wild dolphins wanted to interact they could, if not they could swim away. It was amazing to see them in the wild and while I was snorkeling one swam right under me just a few feet away. I have also done he blue lagoon encounter before I was better educated and I much prefer to see dolphins in their own element and not contained in enclosures. I hope this helps you make the right decision for your family.

 

[La2kw]

I'm confused why you are hesitant about zoos, but think a dolphin swim may be okay. Forcing dolphins to swim and entertain people day after day in captivity doesn't seem all that humane to me. At least in a zoo, they usually aren't performing or offering rides.

 

[mom2brooke76]

Maybe one day you could take your girls on one of these trips:

http://www.wildquest.com

 

[tvguy]

All I know is these type of excursions were banned 3 years ago in Hawaii.

 

[jenandkam]

It's all about what causes are important to you. You can find something terrible/inhumane in almost anything you do. I would do the dolphin swim, but I'm not an animal activist. I would NEVER wear jewelry with diamonds or other "precious" gems in them (ever seen Blood Diamond)? Like I said - it's all about what's important to you. If this is going to affect you to the point that it will make you sad or angry and put even a little bit of a damper on your (or DH's) vacation then I would say don't do it. Your girls might be a bit disappointed at first, but there are SO many other fun/cool things to do that they will forget all about it in no time!! Enjoy your vacation!!

 

[Tracerr00]

I saw The Cove once quite by accident. My boyfriend rented the wrong movie at the Redbox one night and this is what he got so we watched it. It's haunted me ever since. I will never preach to people and I'm not vegetarian or anything either but it has certainly changed my mind about dolphin swims. A few years back I did one with my daughter and she loved it but I would never do it again after watching that movie. I'm not making any recommendations for you, that is just my personal decision. I'm glad to see lots of other options for us as far as excursions!

 

[quinnc19]

Unfortunately I do not remember the exact source, but I remember a story on a radio news program where it was mentioned that dolphins have shorter lifespans in captivity than in the wild. That says something to me.

 

[mainegal]

My sister "swam with the dolphins" in Cozumel. She enjoyed it and wants to know if I want to do it when we are in Cozumel December 2012.

I have no interest. I don't know why, but in my gut it just doesn't seem right.

I am interested in reading what other people post on this thread.

 

[Silly Little Pixie]

I understand your trepidation. Several years ago, we did decide to do a dolphin swim at Dolphin Quest at the Hilton Waikoloa in Hawaii. The dolphins live there in a large lagoon. It was an amazing experience!

I was concerned ahead of time about their living situation, etc. What surprised me about DQ was that the dolphins are not required to interact with you. They would call them over, but the trainer said that sometimes they opt not to interact with guests and that's okay. They just stay in another part of the lagoon. Our hotel room had a view of the lagoon and it was fascinating to watch them play with each other, etc during the times the DQ was not operating with guests. Many but not all of their dolphins were born there, I believe. It was a great program. We also did not ride on any dolphin or have them pull us. The trainers said that was demeaning and not part of their natural behaviors, so it was not included in the program. The emphasis in the program was on conservation.

I loved it, but I would be skeptical of doing a dolphin swim in another country. And I'd do a lot of research before agreeing to do one. I realize it does sound hypocritical- I get where you are coming from- but done right it can be a wonderful experience.

 

[ColoradoDisneyFreaks]

I can understand your reservations regarding a dolphin swim, but please don't extend those to include zoos. Most zoos work in conservation and have breeding programs and animal exchanges to ensure continuation of species. Also, most (not all, but most) of the animals you see in a zoo were either bred in captivity or rescued as orphans, and wouldn't make it in the wild.

Both of my parents are docents for a zoo here in Colorado and they sure don't exploit the animals, except of course feeding the giraffes crackers, although if you asked the giraffes, they may not like you taking that away!

 

[kcashner]

We did Discovery Cove in Florida--it was better than any dolphin experience/swim I've seen on any of the islands. Florida law limits you to 30 minutes of interaction in the water with the dolphin, you will have about 15 minutes before that with a trainer.

We were told that they can't "make" the dolphins do anything they don't want to do. Each dolphin has a different call signal, and they would call a dolphin over, but if he/she didn't want to come or interact, they'd call another one. They make the point that all of their dolphins are either rescue animals (who are usually not part of the interaction) or bred in the park. She also told us that they have three times as many trained/interacting dolphins as they use in any one session, so the dolphins essentially interact for 30 minutes, then get an hour off.

You'll have to use your own judgement...DD loved it, and in no way did it seem cruel.

 

[ColoradoDisneyFreaks]

We did Discovery Cove in Florida--it was better than any dolphin experience/swim I've seen on any of the islands. Florida law limits you to 30 minutes of interaction in the water with the dolphin, you will have about 15 minutes before that with a trainer.

We were told that they can't "make" the dolphins do anything they don't want to do. Each dolphin has a different call signal, and they would call a dolphin over, but if he/she didn't want to come or interact, they'd call another one. They make the point that all of their dolphins are either rescue animals (who are usually not part of the interaction) or bred in the park. She also told us that they have three times as many trained/interacting dolphins as they use in any one session, so the dolphins essentially interact for 30 minutes, then get an hour off.

You'll have to use your own judgement...DD loved it, and in no way did it seem cruel.

This is good to know too, we're going to Discovery Cove in October for our fall break before the mother/daughter cruise.

 

[mousetravel]

We did the dolphin excursion a couple years ago. I agree with another post that mentioned the dolphins are in ocean water at Blue Lagoon, not in a tank. Even though the area is still enclosed, it is a much bigger area for them to swim around than just in a tank.

The dolphins seemed well treated to me. I think it was a good learning experience for my DD (I only did the observer). I would definately do it again, unless I knew they were being mistreated.

 

[lexlaw69]

It's all about what causes are important to you. You can find something terrible/inhumane in almost anything you do. I would do the dolphin swim, but I'm not an animal activist. I would NEVER wear jewelry with diamonds or other "precious" gems in them (ever seen Blood Diamond)? Like I said - it's all about what's important to you. If this is going to affect you to the point that it will make you sad or angry and put even a little bit of a damper on your (or DH's) vacation then I would say don't do it. Your girls might be a bit disappointed at first, but there are SO many other fun/cool things to do that they will forget all about it in no time!! Enjoy your vacation!!

Ever hear of the Kimberly Process? Diamonds from Sierra Leone are legal again and very good for their country and it's people.