The welfare dilemmas posed by captivity, such as that of cetaceans in aquariums, are at the center of the debate, in the context of the new legislation protecting the rights of animals. In this case, fauna specialists and zoo managers talk about respecting the dignity of marine mammals and raising awareness among the population of these centers.
“It is not true that the life of animals in nature is always good and that of aquariums is invariably bad.”, warns Xavier Manteca, professor at the Department of Animal Science at the University of Barcelona and an expert in animal welfare.
We are talking, in particular, about aquatic mammals, for a moment in the center of the scene, with regard to the recent enactment of the Law for the Protection of the Rights and Welfare of Animals.
New regulations on cetaceans in aquariums
This new regulation allows the continuity of cetaceans in aquariums in those aquariums whose purpose is conservation, research and dissemination, even if they keep them in their recreational programming and animation of shows with the presence of the public”,under the supervision of their caregivers”(chapter 32).
It also provides, for those cetaceans in aquariums that, “on the date of entry into force of the Law, are in captivity outside the conservation centers”, so that they can remain where they are, “as long as they are not reintroduced into the natural environment”, among other conditions aimed at their protection, as read in the ‘transitory provision’.
If knowledge is generated, it contributes to the preservation of biodiversity, also in zoos or interpretation centers. This is the understanding of some of the specialists directly involved, both in research tasks and in the management of zoological gardens, among those who participated, a few weeks ago, in the 50th Annual Symposium of the European Aquatic Mammals Association (EAAM), which took place at the Oceanogràfic in Valencia, between the 7th and 10th of March.
Cetaceans in aquariums are animals as subjects of rights
There they could be consulted on the issue of animals as subjects of rights, which must be guaranteed “lto protect your dignity“, in accordance with the postulates of the regulation.
No one can deny today that marine mammals face threats of various kinds, and all over the planet. Today, relentless and increasing global warming adds to previous dangers such as noise and chemical pollution, accidental capture, prey depletion and, more recently, avian flu, which is hitting coastal populations of sea lions.
“The life of those who live free is not entirely free of suffering, something that is partly caused directly or indirectly by human beings.”, argues Manteca.
To assess the welfare of an animal, he suggests: “The first thing to know is your biology, as well as your specific needs for food, behavior, etc.”.
For his part, Alejandro Grajal, president of the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle (USA), agrees that “The problem is not just the welfare of a few animals in zoos and aquariums, but all of the world’s fish, birds and mammals are suffering from the onslaught of pollution, climate change and destruction by human activities.”.
The role of modern zoos and aquariums
So, in your opinion,the role of modern zoos and aquariums must be to save all species” and keep them “in the best possible condition”. Furthermore, the challenge must becreate a social revolution in conservation and the environment”, he encourages. “That is the only ethical reason why we should exist”, in his words.
The director of zoological operations at Oceanogràfic and scientific director of the Oceanogràfic Foundation, Daniel García, comments that law is often confused with animal welfare. In his opinion, “animal welfare points out what that animal is like, and the right to life is something more ethical (or ethereal), and sometimes our society puts the right to life above anything else”. Hence, he says, the importance of using scientific criteria for animal welfare.
The representation of biodiversity
According to the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI), one of the oldest animal welfare organizations in the United States, zoos and aquariums are designed to make animals easy to see, not necessarily comfortable.
Indeed, Grajal explains that, “although to represent the planet’s biodiversity in a zoo, most species must be worms and insects, the reason we have dolphins, toucans or chimpanzees is because they are more closely related than a worm, a caterpillar or a beetle”.
However, he refuses to agree with those who “easily criticize” the existence of wild animals in captivity, such as cetaceans in aquariums, because, most of the time, “they do not carry out studies of animal behavior” nor contribute “solid science-based data”.
In this regard, he is emphatic: “I’m not going to question that at certain times some animals can be stressed, but how can we humans. They may have stress from motherhood, food or social context, but what we’re trying to achieve here is not just reducing anxiety in captive animals, but helping the entire planet. And that’s why there are zoos and aquariums.”. Those who aren’t doing it, he suggests, those who are “they should close”.
animals with complex lives
Certainly, animals with high cognition, such as dolphins or primates, have complex lives, which is why, in addition, this type of facility requires the allocation of much more resources to maintain them. In the case of marine mammals, the ethical problems posed by captivity, especially for cetaceans, are notable.
Asked whether the existence of marine mammals in captivity is objectively worse, in terms of welfare, Xavier Manteca explains that “the life and environment of these animals are undoubtedly different”. There is, in his opinion, an ambivalence which he exemplifies in “absence of predators in an aquarium” or in the provision of veterinary care, “things that do not occur in nature”.
In his opinion, animals not only should not suffer, but should experience “positive emotions”. There are centers that keep the animals in good condition and “They also manage to convey that to the public.” However, he emphasizes that “Ensuring the well-being of an animal means satisfying its biological needs, which are different in each species.”.
The question that arises, then, is whether research or conservation work justifies having animals enclosed in an enclosure. In Grajal’s claim, the answer is affirmative: “The first reason is that the animals are not only in good condition, but also live much longer than wild ones. Secondly, they are the emotional, social and contextual vehicle for people to make individual decisions and the third reason is based on the fact that we are making important scientific advances in biology, physiology and as it relates to the behavior of these living beings that once we did not know”.
A database about animals
If there were no animals in captivity, zoos would not have, for example, “the world’s largest database on birth, mortality, ovulation or reproduction“, and even “Breakthrough advances in animal cancer”. Thus, the director of the Seattle Zoo maintains that “that scientific information benefits everyone, in addition to the fact that the connections that are created promote awareness of the environment”.
In turn, the Zootechnics professor points out that “theModern, well-functioning facilities that keep cetaceans in captivity make an essential contribution to conservation”.
In your opinion, “The knowledge generated is applied in in situ conservation programs, whether for species in danger of extinction or others that are not, but are biologically similar.”. To this we must add, he indicates, “the work of education and public awareness”.
Our fun is knowing?
Supporters of animal shows and exhibits often argue that people gain important information from seeing live animals, so dolphinariums and aquariums serve a valuable function in addition to contributing to conservation.
Grajal understands that zoos and aquariums are entertainment destinations for most people, so “Generally speaking, no one goes to these places to learn”. However, he recognizes that biologists and managers must “catalyze“what happens to them”to generate attitude changes”.
A “entertainment with a cause” can have very important consequences for the planet, “much more than educational content in the strictest sense of the word”.
In this context, he considers that the most effective way to connect and for the public to learn is not by transmitting technical content, with dry language, but through “emotions, attachment, and social connections” that are generated in these centers.
“It is impossible to see a dolphin show without being amazed by these animals.“, highlights. And the bond is closer”with animals that are taxonomically similar to humans“, he states.
A sanctuary in the future. Cetaceans in aquariums.
But what is the public perception of the welfare of animals in captivity? There are opinions for all tastes. According to the AWI, the fact of seeing animals confined can give the public a false image of their natural life and desensitize people to the suffering inherent in deprivation of liberty, as they often live poorly in tiny enclosures where life lacks naturalness.
Manteca highlights the fact that considerable advances have been made in recent years: “Society in general is much more aware of and interested in these issues and, in addition, awareness of the subject has evolved considerably; today no one doubts that animal welfare is a scientific discipline”.
On how these types of enclosures will be in the future, if they are going to be transformed into ‘sanctuaries’ or reserves, Grajal foresees that only zoos and aquariums that “understand the function of conservation, or the emotional, social and behavioral journey of the experience with live animals”, in addition to “funding conservation projects and activating citizens”.
For his part, Manteca considers that “an animal doesn’t care much” whether the place where it is found is called a zoo, aquarium or sanctuary. What is relevant is whether the environmentwhether or not his behavioral needs are met, whether he has a good diet, or whether there is veterinary care”.
The future of any animal in captivity, such as cetaceans in aquariumsis deposited ininstitutions that guarantee animal welfare standards, whatever their name”, he concludes.
