What species would you ban from zoos?

[OstrichMania]

This thread seems like an appropiate time to ask a question I have been curious about for a while now.

When people complain that zoos cause orca's fins to be 'bent', is this factually caused by captivity or is there another explanation?

 

[taun]

This thread seems like an appropiate time to ask a question I have been curious about for a while now.

When people complain that zoos cause orca's fins to be 'bent', is this factually caused by captivity or is there another explanation?

Last I heard there is no definitive answer on why the dorsal fin bends over.

 

[birdsandbats]

This thread seems like an appropiate time to ask a question I have been curious about for a while now.

When people complain that zoos cause orca's fins to be 'bent', is this factually caused by captivity or is there another explanation?

The reason isn't known for sure but it's thought to be hereditary.

 

[Jurek7]

if you are into killer whales, you can check this photo catalogue of KW in Scotland.
Scottish Killer Whale Photo Identification Catalogue 2021.pdf
At least two have bend dorsal fins. In general, they seem to have lots of cuts and notches in their fins (tough life!).

 

[Sphenisciologist]

I must say I find it interesting how one of the tags here is "orca". Understandable since captive orcas is a controversial topic. What is everyone's opinions on them?

it’s extremely hard to get healthy captive requirements for such big marine mammals. to add to that, they’re used for entertainment much of the time, where as most other zoo animals behave as they do naturally.

 

[Sphenisciologist]

It can be any species. And please, no judgement.

Orcas

 

[Fallax]

it’s extremely hard to get healthy captive requirements for such big marine mammals. to add to that, they’re used for entertainment much of the time, where as most other zoo animals behave as they do naturally.

Have you watched Blackfish?

 

[Sphenisciologist]

Have you watched Blackfish?

yes, i have.

 

[Tapir Master]

I also heard that great white sharks apparently can’t work in captivity when they are a shark species that love to roam and get stressed to death in most aquariums. Which is understandable for a iconic shark species.

 

[dinosauria]

Monterey has reared several for decent lengths of time. IIRC, none died in their care, but were released after growing too large. I wonder how they would do in Ocean Voyager.

 

[15399]

I also heard that great white sharks apparently can’t work in captivity when they are a shark species that love to roam and get stressed to death in most aquariums. Which is understandable for a iconic shark species.

It's not that they CAN'T work, it is that they HAVEN'T work. Clearly something hasn't been tried yet that could make a great white shark survive long-term in captivity, although I don't know what it is.

 

[Fallax]

yes, i have.

Is this where you got your opinion from?

 

[Sphenisciologist]

Is this where you got your opinion from?

not entirely.

 

[Strix]

It's not that they CAN'T work, it is that they HAVEN'T work. Clearly something hasn't been tried yet that could make a great white shark survive long-term in captivity, although I don't know what it is.

It seems unethical to keep trying to hold them in captivity until they find out how to properly keep them. If they don’t find out, then multiple sharks will either die early or live an unhappy life, and in both circumstances they likely won’t breed.

 

[JT]

Have you watched Blackfish?

I’ve considered starting a thread on opinions and discussion about that documentary, would this be something people would be interested in?

 

[Chlidonias]

I’ve considered starting a thread on opinions and discussion about that documentary, would this be something people would be interested in?

There is already at least one thread on it: Blackfish

 

[JT]

There is already at least one thread on it: Blackfish

Alright thank you

 

[Unenlagia90]

Killer whales, of course

 

[birdsandbats]

Killer whales, of course

Why of course? Just so you know, while cetaceans in captivity remain a controversial subject even in the zoo industry, Orcas are not any less suited for captivity than any other cetacean. The idea that they suffer at institutions like SeaWorld is merely an invention of animal rights activists.

 

[Unenlagia90]

If I could have a species of cetacean that can be dubbed as “suitable in captivity” that would be the finless porpoise. Chinese aquaria and conservation sites help breeding, releasing and conserving this species since they are threatened.

Why they are considered suitable for captivity is because they are small-sized, and can be mixed with Chinese sturgeons and Chinese sailfin suckers.