IDA Ten Worst Tanks for Dolphins and Whales in North America

jayjds2

jayjds2

Well-Known Member
10+ year member
Ten Worst Tanks for Dolphins and Whales in North America -- IDA- In Defense of Animals

Pretty self explanatory.

1. The three SeaWorld facilities (San Diego, California; San Antonio, Texas; Orlando, Florida; USA)

2. Marineland of Canada (Niagra Falls, Ontario, Canada)

3. Puerto Aventuras Dolphin Discovery (Mayan Rivera, Quintana Roo, Mexico)

4. Georgia Aquarium (Atlanta, Georgia, USA)

5. Miami Seaquarium (Miami, Florida, USA)

6. Six Flags Mexico Dolphin Discovery (Mexico City, Mexico)

7. Institute for Marine Mammal Studies (Gulfport, Mississippi, USA)

8. Mirage Hotel & Casino (Las Vegas, Nevada, USA)

9. Vancouver Aquarium (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada)

10. Shedd Aquarium (Chicago, Illinois, USA)

Dishonorable mention: Dolphinaris (Scottsdale, Arizona)

Honorable mention (a first!): National Aquarium in Baltimore
 
I'm not exactly a fan of ceta captivity, but are all of these really the worst? Some of them definitely belong, but this just seems like one of those lists that consists mostly of "the most famous" rather than the legit worst. I dunno, perhaps someone better informed than I can weigh in?
 
Arizona Docent said:
What is that place in Scottsdale? I do not know of any dolphins or porpoises in Arizona. :confused:
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I just found their website. Looks like a new venture opening in a couple months. It will be next to the existing Butterfly Experience and upcoming OdySea Aquarium. The website claims they will hold to the highest standards in animal care and will promote ocean conservation. I certainly hope those claims are true, but the skeptic in me thinks this is just a money making tourist venture.
Dolphinaris Arizona - dolphins - Scottsdale - Phoenix - Arizona - www.dolphinaris-arizona.com
 
TheMightyOrca said:
I'm not exactly a fan of ceta captivity, but are all of these really the worst? Some of them definitely belong, but this just seems like one of those lists that consists mostly of "the most famous" rather than the legit worst. I dunno, perhaps someone better informed than I can weigh in?
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I think you are correct in your assessment. The list might be accurate, but I'm not sure. I haven't been to several of these establishments (especially since one isn't built yet!). I think cetaceans in captivity is perfectly reasonable, but only if whichever facility puts in a good amount of money into making sure things are done right. As such, I've yet to be impressed by any cetacean enclosure that I've seen, my favorite probably being the beluga tank at Georgia (though their assessment of the death rate is sadly accurate). I think the new dolphin exhibits at SeaWorld San Antonio and the Georgia Aquarium are good, but I haven't visited either facility since those exhibits opened. SeaWorld San Antonio won't be happening for me for a while, though.
 
TheMightyOrca said:
I'm not exactly a fan of ceta captivity, but are all of these really the worst? Some of them definitely belong, but this just seems like one of those lists that consists mostly of "the most famous" rather than the legit worst. I dunno, perhaps someone better informed than I can weigh in?
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IDA has a similar list for elephants in zoos in the continent that is released yearly. They almost always list the SDZSP as being one of the worst in the country for their rapid successful breeding program when it has in reality one of the best elephant exhibits in the country. They criticize newly-built exhibits aimed at increasing the welfare of the animals, the ways that the elephants are used for conservation messages, and go ballistic at zoos that have had cases of EEHV. This is that equivalent to cetaceans.
 
Teddy Dalton said:
this group sounds like an anti captivity group rather then a credible ratings source.
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That is correct. They think all animals should move to sanctuaries, even though it has been proven several times over that the only advantage sanctuaries have over zoos is the space they can give. Zoos have better vets, funding, do more conservation work, etc.
 
Loxodonta Cobra said:
IDA has a similar list for elephants in zoos in the continent that is released yearly. They almost always list the SDZSP as being one of the worst in the country for their rapid successful breeding program when it has in reality one of the best elephant exhibits in the country. They criticize newly-built exhibits aimed at increasing the welfare of the animals, the ways that the elephants are used for conservation messages, and go ballistic at zoos that have had cases of EEHV. This is that equivalent to cetaceans.
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I figured as much. Stuff like this is why I usually take "worst zoos/aquariums in the world" types of articles with a grain of salt. Now, I do get what they're going for. If you're going to say "all cetacean/elephant/unicorn/whatever" captivity is bad, it makes sense to talk about the big famous places as well. After all, if you only talk about the worst places, you won't be able to convince anyone that all captivity for that species is bad, you need to convince people that even the nice places suck. But it takes away your credibility when you say they're the worst of the worst. Why should I trust this list?
 
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