This thread has broken down along lines of general thoughts (Are captive animal programs like zoos ever justifiable?) but little has been discussed about the particular program being proposed in Cayman.
Reason #1
The proposed facility is to be placed in a redeveloped area adjacent to the Cayman Turtle Farm. The dolphin tank is proposed to be placed in the same location where several turtle holding tanks once stood. Those tanks were devastated by the comparatively mild Hurricane Michelle in November 2001 scattering turtles all around the district of West Bay.
Moving dolphins in advance of a hurricane has been proposed. Given that the turtle pens were destroyed by a comparatively mild hurricane, consideration must be given to the idea that the proposed dolphin facility could suffer similar damage. Also one should take note that much of the island of Grand Cayman was without power for more than one month following Hurricane Ivan in 2004. Consideration needs to be made that any alternative site be capable for providing for adequate care of any dolphins for a period of time sufficient to rebuild a destroyed habitat. Additionally this alternative site should be capable of being self-sufficient with regards to power and water needs for a sufficient time until utilities can be restored.
To date I have heard no mention in local media of specific hurricane plans, other than the generalized idea that the dolphins would be moved, possibly to a resort swimming pool. I feel that no dolphin facility should be permitted to be placed at this location unless adequate hurricane plans are in place.
Reason #2
Dolphins are not in normal residence in Cayman waters. Sightings are infrequent at best, and thought to be of pods in transit. I had to ask myself why we rarely see these animals here, and I did a little research.
Generally Cayman's waters are too warm to provide a preferred habitat for the proposed species, Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin.In an email query to Sea World in Florida, I received a reply stating that their dolphin tanks are maintained at 72 degrees Fahrenheit.
The waters of the Cayman Islands are certainly a diver's paradise. Rarely do the waters dip below 78 degrees F, and they rise to around 86 in late summer. That's at least 6 to 14 degrees above the dolphin's preferred habitat temperature. Imagine a human being immersed in water of 104 to 113 degrees constantly. They would simply overheat dramatically. As it turns out, this sort of thermal stress is cited as an adverse impact to dolphins as well.
So it seems to me that some sort of system to chill the tank water needs to be in place to afford a minimally acceptable habitat. Again I have heard no mention of plans to construct this sort of infrastructure with this particular project.
Reason #3
Effluent runoff is cited as a significant cause of damage to coral reefs. The proposed site is a short distance from a popular shore diving location in Cayman with significant nearby reef. Advancing reef degredation has been documented in close proximity to other dolphin programs, such as in Cozumel.
Publically discussed plans for the proposed site in Cayman have discussed no system of treatment of waste. Large mammals in confined quarters will produce significant quantities of waste. Left untreated, and freely mixed with incoming water as proposed, this will place a signifcant nutrient load into nearby waters. Such will only contribute to algae growth and the smothering of the reef.
There are other reasons to oppose dolhin capativity programs, but these are a few of the inadequacies of this particular program proposal.
Reason #1
The proposed facility is to be placed in a redeveloped area adjacent to the Cayman Turtle Farm. The dolphin tank is proposed to be placed in the same location where several turtle holding tanks once stood. Those tanks were devastated by the comparatively mild Hurricane Michelle in November 2001 scattering turtles all around the district of West Bay.
Moving dolphins in advance of a hurricane has been proposed. Given that the turtle pens were destroyed by a comparatively mild hurricane, consideration must be given to the idea that the proposed dolphin facility could suffer similar damage. Also one should take note that much of the island of Grand Cayman was without power for more than one month following Hurricane Ivan in 2004. Consideration needs to be made that any alternative site be capable for providing for adequate care of any dolphins for a period of time sufficient to rebuild a destroyed habitat. Additionally this alternative site should be capable of being self-sufficient with regards to power and water needs for a sufficient time until utilities can be restored.
To date I have heard no mention in local media of specific hurricane plans, other than the generalized idea that the dolphins would be moved, possibly to a resort swimming pool. I feel that no dolphin facility should be permitted to be placed at this location unless adequate hurricane plans are in place.
Reason #2
Dolphins are not in normal residence in Cayman waters. Sightings are infrequent at best, and thought to be of pods in transit. I had to ask myself why we rarely see these animals here, and I did a little research.
Generally Cayman's waters are too warm to provide a preferred habitat for the proposed species, Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin.In an email query to Sea World in Florida, I received a reply stating that their dolphin tanks are maintained at 72 degrees Fahrenheit.
The waters of the Cayman Islands are certainly a diver's paradise. Rarely do the waters dip below 78 degrees F, and they rise to around 86 in late summer. That's at least 6 to 14 degrees above the dolphin's preferred habitat temperature. Imagine a human being immersed in water of 104 to 113 degrees constantly. They would simply overheat dramatically. As it turns out, this sort of thermal stress is cited as an adverse impact to dolphins as well.
So it seems to me that some sort of system to chill the tank water needs to be in place to afford a minimally acceptable habitat. Again I have heard no mention of plans to construct this sort of infrastructure with this particular project.
Reason #3
Effluent runoff is cited as a significant cause of damage to coral reefs. The proposed site is a short distance from a popular shore diving location in Cayman with significant nearby reef. Advancing reef degredation has been documented in close proximity to other dolphin programs, such as in Cozumel.
Publically discussed plans for the proposed site in Cayman have discussed no system of treatment of waste. Large mammals in confined quarters will produce significant quantities of waste. Left untreated, and freely mixed with incoming water as proposed, this will place a signifcant nutrient load into nearby waters. Such will only contribute to algae growth and the smothering of the reef.
There are other reasons to oppose dolhin capativity programs, but these are a few of the inadequacies of this particular program proposal.
