Dolphins will be transferred to a marine sanctuary
The transfer of the eight dolphins of Baltimore National Aquarium should be finalized before the end of 2020. This unprecedented initiative in the country marks a change of mentality in the treatment of animals held in captivity for tourism.
In announcing its intention to offer its latest Dolphins a natural refuge in a protected habitat for the end of 2020, the industry of captive cetaceans is embarking on an uncharted path.
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Dolphins need a space of freedom to build social connections necessary for their well-being
This decision was born after five years of debate in which the scientific community has proven that these marine mammals, highly intelligent, need a space of freedom to build social connections necessary for their well-being.
The Baltimore National Aquarium, where visitors dolphins for 50 years, is preparing to return freedom to eight dolphins. “These Atlantic dolphins will not be released into the ocean, of course”, said John Racanelli, Aquarium manager, “it will be a sanctuary with full-time staff. The criteria are excellent water quality in a temperate climate, isolation pools for medical care, temporary shelters during hurricanes pools, nets to prevent the dolphins breed them or mingle to wild individuals.”
Only Nani, the oldest dolphin group had the ocean in his youth. This is a female captured in 1972. The other six were born at the aquarium of Baltimore or SeaWorld Orlando.
John Racanelli and his colleagues have yet to decide on the place where will be located the shrine dedicated to dolphins, hesitating between Florida and a place in the Caribbean, the sites where they were captured. The decision is important because we must ensure that these animals find space, marine life and aquatic plants that constitute their natural environment, and of which they were deprived in captivity.
