I am definitely not against keeping Cetaceans in Captiity. I even think a less emotional disussion would lead into improvements. For instance creating more structures in exhibits than,....none. I also think training, when educational and helpful for preventing muscle-problems or whatever,
is very important. But i totally dislike such circus-like exhibits which are only designed to present the animals as entertainment-toys in playmobil-like swimming pools.
How you can say that without being at this place ? Don't judge a book by it's cover.
I'm pretty sure,the animals in this pool don't care about the surroundigs of it. And not the structure of the pool is important in keeping whales or dolphins in zoos.
The belugas at Georgia Aquarium in their well structured exibit are doing the same like belugas in diffrent japense aquariums without any structure in their pool-they swimming around, with the diffrence, the belugas in japan do have more space. And as far I could see, the belugas at Georiga Aquariums were not interested in the rocky structure in their pool, which has only one reason-a nicer, more natural lookto the visitors.
I know about your opinion and i also don't like covering everything with artificial rockwork or whatever, i think of structures that provide sun-protection as the water isn't that deep or pools where the animals can swim "8s" more easily, pools where they can hide behind something and so on,....
Still, the whole design focuses on the show and the pure effect of training a big or playful animal.
