THIS INFORMATION IS NOT MINE. I ASKED PERMISSION BEFORE POSTING IT.

"-Epcot and SW Orlando Observations-"

"In the past week, I traveled to Florida and went to both Epcot, where they have 4 dolpins, and SW to make observations on the animals.

-------Epcot--------
Things I noted about the animals:
-The dolphins here were much more lively than at any other marine park I've ever seen. They didn't float lifelessly in their pools and appeared content, if nothing else. I have never seen such content dolphins aside from those in the wild.


-The dolphins performed strange behaviors that seemed unnatural, twisting themselves into weird positions. I've never seen other marine park dolphins or wild dolphins act like that. I didn't notice that this affected their quality of life, I just felt it was unnatural.

-The dolphins were EXTREMELY unaware of themselves. They were bumping into things like the platform above them, the walls, the coral reef, and each other. They didn't even appear to notice that they were banging into things, which also concerns me.

Things to note about the tank:
-It's a tank that at least attempts to simulate the wild, with a coral reef and live fish. It's also quite roomy for 4 dolphins, in comparison with other captive facilities.

Things to note about the show:
-The show lasted roughly 10 minutes and was not a show as much as a presentation.
-It was completely educational, except for the last part where the dolphin struck two poses for photo opportunities.
-Get this: Rather than lie about dolphin lifespans as the captivity industry typically does, they stated that dolphins could live up to 40 years.

All in all, I think this facility is as good as captivity can get. I think the dolphins have a better quality of life due to:
-No cheering crowds. The environment was quite calm and quiet.
-The presentation was short and with only a couple a day and 4 dolphins to split the work between, the dolphins are not subject to the lengthy, stressful shows many are subject to."

--- I Will Have To Go Check This Out. It Sounds Like A Fairly good Place To Take The Family.:)

-----------Sea World Underwater Viewing Orcas---------

In the tank at the time were Kalina and another whale I could not identify. Kalina seemed lethargic, swimming around lazily. She didn't seem particularly happy, however, I was most concerned with the other whale who layed at the bottom of the tank lifelessly without moving. She surfaced for air twice, then returned to the bottom to lay motionless. I wish I could have identified her but she was at the farthest corner and I could not tell who it was. I have not heard of this behavior in orcas.

The underwater viewing tank concerns me because it was so small. I know that SW has 5 tanks (and a trainer informed me that their current orca count is 8) but the size of the holding tanks concerns me. I feel as if SW did not have their big show tank to hide behind, people would be more fussy about the holding tanks.

If anyone has any idea who the lifeless orca at the bottom might have been, I'd like to know. She was in with Kalina, if that helps.

AGAIN NOT MY WORK AND I ASKED PERMISSION.

Nuts.

Dolphins in captivity are there for one purpose & one purpose only - entertainment.

They swim about, they get fed - what more could they want. In the wild they have to worry about where their next meal is coming from - in captivity they are fully fed.

I think it's pathetic to complain about dolphins in a tank - they are bloody fish for christs sake - if they are not in the tank entertaining us then lets fry up some dolphin steaks. Pass me the mayo.

What's next? cruelty to goldfish?

What's next? cruelty to goldfish?Hermit crabs in captivity. :eek:

Hermit crabs in captivity. :eek:


hhmm...you're right,what would you call that sedan? Hypocrisy? (sp?)

I especially abore the cruelty to those lobsters at the local store. Swimming around with their claws tied up - just waiting to be selected and boiled alive.

The cruelty is just mind blowing - maybe I should make a youtube video the next time I boil one. The title will be "the lobsters are screaming - they feel pain!"

Oh my god... laughing so hard...

Nuts.

Dolphins in captivity are there for one purpose & one purpose only - entertainment.

They swim about, they get fed - what more could they want. In the wild they have to worry about where their next meal is coming from - in captivity they are fully fed.

I think it's pathetic to complain about dolphins in a tank - they are bloody fish for christs sake - if they are not in the tank entertaining us then lets fry up some dolphin steaks. Pass me the mayo.

What's next? cruelty to goldfish?
negative grand pooh bah of AFN, dolphin are mammals. unless you're think of the fish, dolphin, in which case are mahi-mahi and go excellently with coconut shrimp:banana:

I adore mahi mahi. :)

I adore mahi mahi. :)
i have a hard time going to Joe's Crab Shack and not getting it.:)

I especially abore the cruelty to those lobsters at the local store. Swimming around with their claws tied up - just waiting to be selected and boiled alive.

The cruelty is just mind blowing - maybe I should make a youtube video the next time I boil one. The title will be "the lobsters are screaming - they feel pain!"
Once they turn red, they are in no pain. At that time they start enjoying the 69 virgin lobsters in lobster heaven (that's why the color change). Without boiling, the only way that lobsters get to heaven is if the "divine" octopus eats them... and he has been quite full of late.

:D

guys if you would have read that info was not mine. and i never said that this was bad. didnt you see the " a fairly good place to take the family." this place is great for the dolphins. unlike msq.

guys if you would have read that info was not mine. and i never said that this was bad. didnt you see the " a fairly good place to take the family." this place is great for the dolphins. unlike msq.

I read it - it was arbritary garbage. Based on some subjective crap about the dolphins looked chipper we can presume the place is ok place to take the kids for some general dolphin exploitation fun, but if we watching some crappy youtube movie then we can view the place as not fit to visit.

The point is - the whole concept is garbage - it's fish in a tank. I don't care if the dolphins get to get stoned and watch Planet Earth on plasma TV's in their downtime vs getting stung with a cattle prod - I just don't care.

i know you dont care,ok?i get it.you dont care about the animals.well,certain ones.

I wouldn't like to see arbritary cruelty to animals but you know cruelty happens all the time - animals are not high on the list of importance.

i know this. it does happen all the time and that just shows us that sometimes,humans arent as civilized as they say.animals are not the most important thing in the world,no.

i guess the reason i fight for animal rights is not bc i think they are the most important thing in the world,but bc they are important TO the world and wo them we couldnt survive.they were put in their environment to do a job,but we keep taking them out and ruining that cycle.well,thats how i see it.and i know you see it differently.

Like I said - cruelty to animals is wrong, but animals bread for meat & then slaughtered, circus animals, animals at the zoo - none of those things are wrong.

the slaughter process in most factory farms DOES involve cruelty,whether they are bred for meat or not doesnt matter.they may be bred for meat but that is just no reason to mistreat them.and MOST circuses do abuse their animals.and even if they didnt,its wrong to take animals from their natural habitat unless it is for conservational effort or to rivive an endangered species.i think using them just to entertain our sorry butts is plain wrong.their are plenty of cruelty free activities that involve animals.as for zoos,most have good facilities and offer MUCH education.others are crappy and dont deserve to be in bussiness.oh and those cruelty free activities usually involve A LOT of education and getting off our lazy buts,doing some exercise,and experiencing one in a lifetime chances.
~whale watching is amazing and educational.imagine seeing HUGE magnificent whales that you would never get to see in captivity!
~hiking gives great exercise and educational experiences.it brings up curiosity and the urge to learn more about the natural world around you.
~visiting national parks.that is educational as well and it is a great family activity as are all of these.
~just taking a boat trip is fun and depending on where you live you may see many animals.some ppl find being around water relaxing.
~camping or going to a camp can be educational for your family and fun
~just traveling is a wonderful idea.there is site seeing and plenty activities to do.amazing things in traveling await you (the grand canyon,cliffs and valleys,waterfalls,national parks,etc.) that you would never see in a circus or zoo.
~scuba diving!see spectacular forms of nature and plenty exotic things!experience FIRST HAND AND UP CLOSE like you never would if at an aquarium!
AND THERES SO MUCH MORE!

all those alternatives sound great, but i'd prefer to go to the zoo & go to the circus.

Animals are intended for my convenience - not the other way around.

the slaughter process in most factory farms DOES involve cruelty,whether they are bred for meat or not doesnt matter.they may be bred for meat but that is just no reason to mistreat them.and MOST circuses do abuse their animals.and even if they didnt,its wrong to take animals from their natural habitat unless it is for conservational effort or to rivive an endangered species.i think using them just to entertain our sorry butts is plain wrong.their are plenty of cruelty free activities that involve animals.as for zoos,most have good facilities and offer MUCH education.others are crappy and dont deserve to be in bussiness.oh and those cruelty free activities usually involve A LOT of education and getting off our lazy buts,doing some exercise,and experiencing one in a lifetime chances.
~whale watching is amazing and educational.imagine seeing HUGE magnificent whales that you would never get to see in captivity!
~hiking gives great exercise and educational experiences.it brings up curiosity and the urge to learn more about the natural world around you.
~visiting national parks.that is educational as well and it is a great family activity as are all of these.
~just taking a boat trip is fun and depending on where you live you may see many animals.some ppl find being around water relaxing.
~camping or going to a camp can be educational for your family and fun
~just traveling is a wonderful idea.there is site seeing and plenty activities to do.amazing things in traveling await you (the grand canyon,cliffs and valleys,waterfalls,national parks,etc.) that you would never see in a circus or zoo.
~scuba diving!see spectacular forms of nature and plenty exotic things!experience FIRST HAND AND UP CLOSE like you never would if at an aquarium!
AND THERES SO MUCH MORE!
you've never spent a month on bivouac, eh? the closest i ever intend to get to that again is a Super 8:banana:

all those alternatives sound great, but i'd prefer to go to the zoo & go to the circus.

Animals are intended for my convenience - not the other way around.
ok if thats wat you prefer its fine:)but,im not saying theyre better or trying to get you to do them,they are sometimes even more fun bc you actually get to experience things and be a lot more interactive:)