Our Backyard Summer 2014 Summer 2014 | Page 10

CAPTIVITY There are only three reasons for keeping marine mammals in captivity. Rescue. Rehabilitation. Release. STA Travel, which provides travel to 2.5 million students and young people each year, has stopped trips to SeaWorld in Orlando and San Diego (as well as tours taking in elephant rides and the Tiger Temple in Thailand). Continuing fallout from the death of a Sea World trainer saw the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) in the US stop all trainer interactions with killer whales in shows. A survey carried out by Responsible Travel reveals that 86% of tourists no longer want to watch killer whales and dolphins performing tricks in captivity. Trace Adkins, Pat Benatar, Willie Nelson, Martina McBride, Heart and the Beach Boys are just some of the famous acts that pulled out of gigs at Sea World after pressure on social networks. An independent activist and sound recordist, Martyn Stewart, went undercover at The Mirage Las Vegas recently. He has released footage of diseased dolphins forced to perform in 100o heat. His footage also contains audio of the trainers’ commentaries and replies to Martyn’s questions that prove keeping cetaceans in captivity doesn’t educate the public or the people that work with them! earthraceconservation.org/captivity Many countries don’t legally require marine parks to record how many cetaceans they hold, how many die, nor how they die. freemorgan.org orcanetwork.org keikotheuntoldstory.com However, in the US, among the causes of death listed in the Marine thecovemovie.com Mammal Inventory Reports required to be submitted to the blackfishmovie.com National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are: marineconnection.org Pneumonia, hepatitis, lungworms, kidney infections, septicaemia, anaphylaxis, gastroenteritis, aortic rupture, drowning, uterine haemorrhage, candidiasis (oral or vaginal thrush), cerebral haemorrhage, nephritis, animal attack, ‘tr