Swimming with dolphins

The popularity of swimming with dolphins and other interactions with dolphins greatly increased in the 1980s and 1990s[1] due to the satisfaction and learning that human beings experience while swimming with dolphins. This activity may help to treat depression in humans.[2]

This article is about the actual activity of swimming with dolphins. For the electronica band, see Swimming With Dolphins (band).
Woman swimming with a dolphin

There has been a proliferation of privately owned, for-profit dolphinariums around the world despite the controversy around this activity, which has yet to be circumscribed by the law.[3][4] The renewed popularity of dolphins in the 1960s resulted in the appearance of many dolphinariums[5] around the world. Though criticism and more strict animal welfare laws have forced many dolphinariums to close their doors, hundreds still exist around the world attracting a large number of visitors. These institutions are frequently the object of severe opposition from animal rights groups, particularly when poor conditions lead to the loss of animals,[6][7] and when the dolphins are sourced from wild-caught populations such as the dolphin fishery of Taiji, Japan.[8] The risks associated with interaction with dolphins include injury for humans and injury, stress and death for dolphins.[1]

Scenarios

There are three types of environments where people can swim with dolphins:[9] artificial pools, natural demarcated areas and at the sea. The natural demarcated areas are places adjacent to the sea that share the sea's pure water and seabed, Riviera Maya, and Cozumel in Mexico. Some (though certainly not all) sea swim programs[10] are done at certain points where wild dolphins are accustomed to getting food. Some researchers are against feeding wild dolphins[11] because of the risks[12] of changing their eating habits. This practice costs somewhere in the range of $100 to $400+.[13]

Programs

Swimming with dolphins is an activity offered by many dolphinariums[5] around the world, and there is a large and varied array of interactive programs and activities. Each dolphinarium usually has their specific supply and particular way to present their activities. Most programs include direct contact with dolphins; in some places it is allowed to take the dolphin fin and be dragged by the animal. Other dolphinariums do not allow this because it could be harmful to the animal. In recent years a program that allows customers to have the experience of being coaches has become popular. Some programs offer guests additional interaction by allowing them to act as trainers for the day. Most programs offer pictures and video memories of the experience.[14]

Countries with swimming with dolphin programs include Mexico, United States, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand and Israel as well as most caribbean nations like Bahamas, Cuba & Dominican Republic.

Most dolphinariums charge between $75 to up to $200 per person per session.

Main activities
  • Swirl: several dolphins swim in concentric circles around swimmers, generating a lot of energy and movement.
  • Kiss: with delicate movements, the dolphin poses its snout on the cheek or mouth of the swimmer.
  • Hug: upright and with more than half of the body out of the water, the dolphin hugs with their pectoral fins.
  • Footpush: two dolphins push the swimmer from the feet.
  • Jump: dolphins are masters in jumping out of the water. During the swim they perform tricks in the air.
  • Dance: into the beat, they move their body while the swimmer hold the pectoral fins.
  • Singing: with order and as in a chorus, dolphins emit their characteristic sounds.
  • Signaling: the swimmer learns some details needed to handle the dolphins.
  • Free interaction time: the swimmer has the opportunity to establish free and open contact with dolphins.

[15]

See also

References
  1. Orams, Mark B (August 1997). "Historical accounts of human-dolphin interaction and recent developments in wild dolphin based tourism in Australasia". Tourism Management. 18 (5): 317–326. doi:10.1016/S0261-5177(96)00022-2.
  2. Laurance, Jeremy (2005-11-25). "Swimming with dolphins 'is good for your soul'". The Independent.
  3. "Marine Mammal Protection Act", Wikipedia, 2019-07-06, retrieved 2019-11-27
  4. Salas, Javier (14 Jun 2016). "With so many dolphins in captivity, Spain is swimming against the tide". El Pais. Retrieved 6 February 2019.
  5. "Dolphinarium", Wikipedia, 2019-10-16, retrieved 2019-11-27
  6. Longhi, Lorraine. "Protest planned as fourth dolphin dies at Dolphinaris Arizona". Arizona Central. Retrieved 6 February 2019.
  7. Grigoryan, Marianna (11 Mar 2013). "Armenia: Yerevan's Dolphinarium Closes Amidst Controversy". Eurasianet. Retrieved 6 February 2019.
  8. "Dying to make us happy: The bloody truth behind the dolphinarium". The Independent. 11 October 2009. Retrieved 6 February 2019.
  9. Fisheries, NOAA (2019-09-16). "Common Bottlenose Dolphin | NOAA Fisheries". www.fisheries.noaa.gov. Retrieved 2019-11-27.
  10. "Dolphin SMART". floridakeys.noaa.gov. Retrieved 2019-11-27.
  11. Fisheries, NOAA (2019-09-26). "Protect Wild Dolphins: Admire Them from a Distance | NOAA Fisheries". www.fisheries.noaa.gov. Retrieved 2019-11-27.
  12. Fisheries, NOAA (2019-09-16). "Frequent Questions: Feeding or Harassing Marine Mammals in the Wild | NOAA Fisheries". www.fisheries.noaa.gov. Retrieved 2019-11-27.
  13. The Swimming with Dolphins Guide: A Guide to Wild Dolphin Swims, Dolphin Swim Resorts and Dolphin Assisted Therapy. Reed, M. M. 2014
  14. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-02-03. Retrieved 2018-08-23.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  15. The Swimming with Dolphin Guide: A guide to wild dolphin swims, dolphin swim resorts and dolphin assisted therapy. M.M.Reed (2013)
  • Au, Whitlow (1993). The Sonar of Dolphins. New York: Springer-Verlag.
  • Curran, S., Wilson, B. and Thompson, P (1996). "Recommendations for the sustainable management of the bottlenose dolphin population in the Moray Firth". Scottish Natural Heritage Review 56.
  • Leatherwood, Stephen and Randall R. Reeves, eds. The Bottlenose Dolphin. San Diego: Academic Press, Inc., 1990.
  • Reiss, D. and Marino, L. (2001). Self-recognition in the bottlenose dolphin: A case of cognitive convergence. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, May 8, 98 (10), 5937-5942.
  • Ramírez, Ken (1999), Training: Successful Animal Management through Positive Reinforcement, Shedd Aquarium.
  • Sonar Magazine, Scientific research information of Grupo Via Delphi.
  • "The Swimming with Dolphins Guide: A Guide to Wild Dolphin Swims, Dolphin Swim Resorts and Dolphin Swim Retreats" Location, Swims, Prices, Etiquette & More! (2015)
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.