Infobus: Captive Dolphins

Every year, many dolphins are caught from the wild to supply marine parks, and a thriving illegal trade in live wild-caught dolphins has emerged in order to meet the demand. The capture process is extremely violent, potentially lethal, and inherently cruel. For every wild dolphin taken captive, at least one other is injured or killed during the capture process. Studies suggest that mortality rates increase six-fold after capture.

The removal of dolphins can be detrimental to the overall population. In particular, the taking of young females, the preferred catch of swim-with-the-dolphin facilities, can affect the health of wild populations over the long term. In regions where very little is known about the status of populations, removing any specimens from the wild is a serious conservation concern because it poses a threat not only to the survival of local dolphins but because it also undermines international measures to protect dolphins.

So join ACRES (Animal Concerns, Research, and Education Society) today at the Infobus, from 1730 to 1930h to know what you can do to help captive dolphins. See you there!