Cruelty to dolphins in Florida on Newsround

[kirstenjet]

I turned the telly on and saw the last sentence.
Did anyone see it? Where were they talking about?

Thanks,
Zoe

 

[WDWfan uk]

Hi Zoe - if you go to the BBC Website, you can look at the Newsround page , and from that page, click on the subheading Animals and the article is there, named "Dolphins Taken From the Sea"........ I am trying a link, let's see if it works:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/animals/default.stm

 

[vernon]

Unfortunately they don't give enough information to be able to form a complete opinion on the situation. It's an emotive subject and IMHO typical of animal rights activists tactics of not giving the full/correct story when trying to target a big company ( like SW or Disney). My impression of DC was that the vast majority of the dolphins at DC had come from the various SW parks around the US, this makes sense as they need to have dolphins that are used to human interaction. I notice that the picture obviously isn't DC nor do they mention DC. They talk about "parks" but are ambiguous and vague about what specific establishment they are talking about, hoping that ALL companies that offer these type of programs get covered by the bad publicity. DC is the highest profile of these, but they shy away from mentioning them by name, IMHO if it was DC they should say so , if not they should also say so. The companies that try to work in the most ecological and humane manner should be praised , those that do not should be critisised.

There are some people who will never, under any circumstances, agree with institutions like DC and SW. I'm not among them. I feel that for many children these parks offer them the only chance they will ever get to see and marvel at these creatures. Unless our future generations get to know and understand what these animals are, how they live and the dangers they face the future of these animals , as a species, is in much more peril than it would otherwise be. If the 20 or so dolphins used at DC can help to guarantee a longer, healthier and safer future for the millions of dolphins that live in the wild, then their lives have been well spent. It in those lives of captivity every effort can be made to ensure they are as health and happy as is possible given the circumstances then the companies that work the hardest to do so should be praised for their attempts.

Maybe there is somewhere that covers the piece in more detail, but as it is provided I feel it is more of a political and "activist " statement than it is a piece of journalism. Another demonstrration of a journalist absconding their responsibility for informing people of what is actually happening in favour of making headlines and a political statement? As the article appears I would say quite possibly. particularly as it appears aimed at children.