Research Assessment #2

Date: ​20 September 2019

Subject: ​Zoological Veterinary Science

MLA Citation:

Diffin, Elizabeth. “Is It Wrong to Swim with Dolphins?” ​BBC News​, BBC, 19 Mar. 2010,

news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/8572855.stm.

Analysis:

Although my original intention for this assessment was to focus on primate research

centers in order to learn more about the goals and business conducted within such

establishments, one of my peers broached a subject which I had not previously considered.

Beyond the ethics of animals as entertainment as simply something to observe, what are the

consequences of using animals as entertainment in interactive environments? To gain a better

understanding of this prominent aspect of animal husbandry, I turned my attention to the popular

activity of swimming with dolphins.

According to this article, written by Elizabeth Diffin, human interaction with dolphins

has been proven to cause psychological and behavioral trauma to the dolphin. Although dolphins

are highly social creatures, the way most tourist organizations go about facilitating interactions is

intrusive and dangerous. Being highly social creatures, dolphins travel in groups (pods), and

when approached by boats, especially fast-moving motorized boats, the pods will feel threatened

and be forced to relocate, sometimes permanently.

 This process of approach and sudden relocation, or even just swimming alongside or

touching them, causes high-levels of stress for the animal. This stress leads to the discussed

behavioral issues such as being unable to “[rest, feed, or nurture] their young”. Quite clearly,

these consequences are undesirable to say the least. The long term effects of interacting with

dolphins can mean trauma on an individual level, large scale relocation, and loss of biodiversity.

Of course, there are consequences for humans, too. For the people of places like

Zanzibar, the loss of the animals can be detrimental to the tourist economy. Although that can

lead to problems and financial strain for more than a million people, the ethics behind continuing

tourist operations in this manner are far too detrimental for the wellbeing of the ecosystem, and

of course, for the animals themselves. It’s relatively well established that this form of

entertainment is unethical, so the bigger question is who, if anyone, is at fault? Is it the fault of

the consumer for partaking in an activity which causes such deep-rooted issues? The fault of the

tour guides for providing such a commodity? The fault of society for not making an effort to be

educated about the consequences of their actions? Or the fault of none, as it is simply a way of

the world which we as a culture need to move away from?

Of course, like most ethical questions, there is no clear answer. The most crucial

takeaway from learning about these kinds of things should not be that any particular person is

bad. The takeaway of education should always amount to “how can I use what I’ve learned to

better myself?”. As an aspiring veterinary zoologist, I hope to be educated on as much as

possible about the ethics of life with animals. There are countless things that we do on a day to

day basis without realizing the effects of. As a professional, I want to do my part to educate
myself and the public in order to protect animals and maintain nature, while also finding ways to

introduce people to the integrity of wildlife.

Moving forward with my independent research, I do want to continue to learn about the

ethics of how we interact with the world around us. My previous research assessment scratched

the surface of the ethics of zoos themselves, but I am eager to unpack the psychology of animals

in and out of captivity. If swimming near dolphins can cause such clearly observable

consequences, what can long term captivity and interaction with zookeepers do to the mental

health of zoo animals, or even moreso, research animals such as primates? How advanced is the

field of animal psychology?

Although this information wasn’t surprising, it was slightly disheartening to recognize the

magnitude of our impact as individuals. A child, beside themselves at the opportunity to swim

with such elegant creatures, can leave a permanent mark on a dolphin’s psyche. Being faced with

a career path which involves much more interventional action and interaction with animals, I fear

that I could do more bad than good. Animal psychology was something that I had never thought

about before, and I hope to learn more about what is involved with such research in order to be a

more responsible veterinarian in the future. It’s imperative to keep in mind that although I am

choosing to pursue this because I am interested in it, being involved in animal biology means

respecting the animal above all other personal and professional goals. I hope that by remaining

cognizant of this type of thinking at the preliminary stages of my endeavor into the veterinary

field, I will be better equipped to handle my career responsibly.

By Elizabeth Diffin

BBC News Magazine

Swimming with dolphins may be sold as a

life-affirming experience, but research shows that it
can be ​traumatic ​I wonder what defines trauma in wildlife and
how it is observed/documented… Is it primarily based around whether
or not they behave as they do in nature? Is human interaction inherently
traumatic?​ for the sea mammals themselves. So is it
time to stop?

It regularly features as one of those transformative experiences to

notch up on the "things to do before you die" bedpost - swim with
dolphins and discover the very essence of life.
Many tour operators feature it in holiday packages. "You will feel
completely free and at one with nature as you swim majestically
along side these incredible creatures," is how one sells the
experience.

Touching isn't recommended

But now doubt has been cast on health effects of dolphin swimming
- not for humans, but the dolphins themselves.
British researchers have found that swimming close to ​bottlenose ​is

this information applicable to all types of dolphin? Has research been

conducted for other species? Is swimming with dolphins something
specific to bottlenoses? ​dolphins and trying to touch them can be
highly stressful for the aquatic creatures - ​preventing them from
resting, feeding or nurturing their young​.​ Examples of results of
trauma
Lori Marino, a neuroscientist at Emory university in Atlanta, said
they could suffer ​"psychological problems"​ ​Especially problematic in
dolphins, due to advanced intelligence ​stemming from swimming with
tourists.
So should thrill-seekers looking for that ultimate life-changing
experiences avoid this in future?
The ​Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS)​ thinks so,
primarily because it disturbs dolphins in their natural habitat. And
since dolphins breathe air and so surface regularly, they can be
followed by fast-moving vessels like water-skis and speedboats.
"People think if they make a disturbance, the animals will just move
away," says spokesman Mark Simmonds. "But animals live in certain
habitats. We might displace them, and they may not necessarily
have a place that's equally good to go to."
Hands off
The study focuses on tours off the coast of Zanzibar, Tanzania,
where up to 30 boats will invade one pod and swimmers chase the
dolphins in hopes of making physical contact. This can lead to the
dolphins becoming unsettled - especially as the tours run throughout
the day.

When dolphins feel sociable, they swim

near boats
Newcastle University's Dr Per Berggren, who conducted the
research, is equally concerned that if the dolphins leave - they can
swim up to 50 miles a day -​ Zanzibar's tourism-driven economy will
suffer. ​Although this is very important to the people of Zanzibar, does it
justify causing deep, psychological trauma on wild animals?
"If this activity continues, it eventually will push them away. We
haven't said to stop swimming with the dolphins. But you need to do
this in a very careful way."
There are tour operators who try to interact with the sea creatures in
a more responsible way, by limiting numbers of boats and
passengers, and letting the dolphins take the lead.
In the open sea off the coast of Portugal, Amanda Stafford, of The
Dolphin Connection, tells clients to wait for the dolphin to approach
them - and keep their hands to themselves. If dolphins aren't feeling
sociable, they make it obvious.
"Dolphins in the wild can go in so many directions," she says. "You
have to be able to read their behaviour to see when they're
interested in socialising."
But even this is too much, says Mr Simmonds, not least because of
the ​risk of transmitting diseases between humans and dolphins​.​What

kinds of diseases are transferable between man and dolphin?

"We like people going to see the animals," he says. "[But] the best
thing is to watch the animals from land."

Dolphins like to travel in pods

And ​keeping dolphins captive at resorts or aquatic parks is akin to
torture,​ ​Corporations like SeaWorld! ​says Dr Horace Dobbs, founder
and honorary director of International Dolphin Watch, as it separates
these sociable animals from their pods. "It would be like locking me
in a lavatory. We should respect [dolphins] in the same way that we
respect other people."
Humans do seem to feel a sense of kinship with dolphins, intelligent,
playful, talkative creatures that they are. And separate research
shows people feel the benefit from getting up close and personal
with dolphins, says Dr Dobbs. This is because dolphins are thought
by some, including Dr Dobbs, to emanate "chi" - the essential life
force in Chinese medicine, ​and the basis of various therapies for
clinical depression, autism and brain damage. ​Dolphins are used
therapeutically sometimes, but studies have shown they are as effective
as interacting with dogs and cats
And Ms Stafford says her own studies in Australia show that when
people interact with dolphins, their brainwaves show a more relaxed,
dream-like state. It also stimulates the release of endorphins -
known as the happy chemical - which induces feelings of joy.
So we may feel the benefit of swimming with dolphins - but the
feeling may not be mutual.
"If a dolphin turns up, hordes of people turn up. They have an effect
on the human psyche," says Dr Dobbs.