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Free The Epcot Dolphins?
- Thread starter Princess Kaylee
- Start date
daisyduckie
Well-Known Member
But orcas are dolphins
Yep. Giant, sea lion eating dolphins. Not the warm and fuzzy kind of dolphin.
The issue isn't with captivity it's the way the animals are treated in captivity. I've been to zoos where animals are social and have HUGE natural-like habitats. I have been to other zoos where the animals are lonely and pace back and forth, of course I leave guilty and angry after that. When I saw the Dolphins at Epcot I was a little taken back, there were two and they were circling the tank. It's just not big enough
.
I think it's worth pointing out that the dolphins in the Living Seas enjoy a much better quality of life than do any of the animals over at The Land.
Do you wanna build a hand-bag? Or fry up some tasty chunks of tail?
I suppose it has to do with the "cute" factor. Typical. People only want to save animals they can project emotions onto.
Case in point: One of these creatures is critically endangered, the other is not.
People work themselves into a frothing rage when a harp seal is killed, but those same people would probably shoot a California condor thinking it's got a disease. "There's this weird bird, and it's like got mange or something."
I feel so bad for the crocodiles in Living On The Land!
But orcas are dolphins
Orcas are whales. Dolphins are are a totally different animal with different levels of intelligence.
Dead2009
Horror Movie Guru
Orcas belong to the oceanic dolphin family.
Dead2009
Horror Movie Guru
The issue isn't with captivity it's the way the animals are treated in captivity. I've been to zoos where animals are social and have HUGE natural-like habitats. I have been to other zoos where the animals are lonely and pace back and forth, of course I leave guilty and angry after that. When I saw the Dolphins at Epcot I was a little taken back, there were two and they were circling the tank. It's just not big enough
And we simply do not know how they're treated after we leave a zoo. Just because they may not have the largest of areas doesn't mean they're being mistreated.
No, you are wrong. Orcas are members of the oceanic dolphin family.
For those of you who weren't aware, the Marine Mammal Protection Act prohibits the capture of marine mammals except for very specific activities outlined in the Act. Which is why Sea World (or any other parks with marine mammals) no longer captures dolphins for its exhibits/shows - the animals are captive bred. While I've not seen Blackfish, I have been backstage at Sea World's veterinary hospital and have witnessed first hand the care provided to animals. Dolphins about to give birth are placed in a tank by themselves and staff monitor the birthing animal's progress around the clock and don't allow anyone other than those directly involved in her care to approach the tank. Hubbs is one of the premier marine research institutes. I'm not absolving Sea World of deficiencies in care for orcas and I am opposed to exhibiting any animals solely for the amusement of humans, but like I said, I've witnessed and have worked with some outstanding scientists at Sea World. The work of Sea World staff in the rescue, rehab and release of manatees is crucial to the survival of that species. Not other facility in Florida has the space, staff or money to provide this critical component.
And the state program I used to work with helped Disney create and staff (some of my colleagues found new jobs there), along with FWS, the Living with the Seas exhibit. One cannot house or exhibit endangered animals unless permitted by the appropriate federal agency. And it's not easy to get that permit.
You really want to help dolphins? Then start a petition to shut down "swimming with dolphins" exhibits, dolphin hunts, prevent habitat destruction, etc. Educate your friends on appropriate methods to interact with marine mammals. Because of these measures aren't taken, the only place you will be able to see a live dolphin is at Animal Kingdom, Sea World and other aquariums.
Correction: the dolphins are in Epcot, not DAK.... I've been sick with the flu for the past few days and my brain has been a tad fuzzy. That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it, lol.
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The issue isn't with captivity it's the way the animals are treated in captivity. I've been to zoos where animals are social and have HUGE natural-like habitats. I have been to other zoos where the animals are lonely and pace back and forth, of course I leave guilty and angry after that. When I saw the Dolphins at Epcot I was a little taken back, there were two and they were circling the tank. It's just not big enough
If you are really concerned how animals are treated in zoos, educate yourself. Animal Kingdom has been accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Review their accreditation standards. Take the Backstage Safari tour (or whatever it's called now). You will talk with staff responsible for the care of the animals and see the facilities for housing, feeding and providing medical care. Take the Wild Africa Trek - you will witness first hand how dedicated staff are and protective of the animals. For them, this isn't a job, but a life's dream to work with some of the most endangered animals on the planet.
Because if we humans don't start to do a better job as stewards of the diversity of life on this planet, the only place most of us will see tigers or black or white rhinos or cheetahs IS in DAK.
StarWarsGirl
Well-Known Member
- In the Parks
- No
I watched a dolphin training show at the Seas this past January. There were several things that stood out to me:
1. The dolphins definitely looked healthy
2. The tricks were challenging for them
3. They weren't forced to do the tricks. If they didn't want to do the exercises, then they could swim backstage. Trainer made that clear, and it was evident to see.
The dolphins get their own tank. There are very few fish with the dolphins. They can go backstage any time they want. They have plenty of room to swim, and usually, I see them circling the tank, swimming on their backs, etc, with plenty of room. So no, I've never worried about them being mistreated. In fact, those are some pretty pampered dolphins if you ask me.
Also worth noting is that these dolphins may not be able to survive in the wild. The manatees Disney keeps are rescued so that they might one day return to the wild. There is a manatee at the Seas whose tail was damaged by a boat. That manatee may never be able to be returned to the wild. You never know with the dolphins whether they would be able to survive in the wild or not.
I also agree with the sentiments of others on this thread: there are other ways, more urgently-needed ways, that you can do your part to protect dolphins. Trying to get rid of them at the Seas is not one of those ways.
1. The dolphins definitely looked healthy
2. The tricks were challenging for them
3. They weren't forced to do the tricks. If they didn't want to do the exercises, then they could swim backstage. Trainer made that clear, and it was evident to see.
The dolphins get their own tank. There are very few fish with the dolphins. They can go backstage any time they want. They have plenty of room to swim, and usually, I see them circling the tank, swimming on their backs, etc, with plenty of room. So no, I've never worried about them being mistreated. In fact, those are some pretty pampered dolphins if you ask me.
Also worth noting is that these dolphins may not be able to survive in the wild. The manatees Disney keeps are rescued so that they might one day return to the wild. There is a manatee at the Seas whose tail was damaged by a boat. That manatee may never be able to be returned to the wild. You never know with the dolphins whether they would be able to survive in the wild or not.
I also agree with the sentiments of others on this thread: there are other ways, more urgently-needed ways, that you can do your part to protect dolphins. Trying to get rid of them at the Seas is not one of those ways.
House of Power Rangers
New Member
They should keep them i know the spaces are small but that's the best place for them to live and if they were raised there in Disney and then released to the wild THAT'S BAD cause they wont survive its better Disney than being outside.
The manatees Disney has been permitted to house are ones that are not capable of being returned to the wild. There are only three facilities in Florida permitted by FWS to capture, rehab and release manatees - Sea World, Miami Seaquarium and Lowry Park Zoo, with Sea World doing the bulk of the work. Disney may have been added after I left DEP, but from what I've seen of their facilities, I don't believe they could get permitted for that activity. And yes, that manatee with half a tail would not survive in the wild.
THEMEPARKPIONEER
Well-Known Member
I've seen them, Epcots their home. It's not about being free it's being with the ones you love and being at the places you love. Dolphins have feelings like any other animal like humans. They seem to love their trainers and the Dolphins they are with every single day. I say Epcot is all they know and where they belong.
networkpro
Well-Known Member
- In the Parks
- Yes
Yep. Giant, sea lion eating dolphins. Not the warm and fuzzy kind of dolphin.
Oh they're warm blooded and they have hair so that would fit the "fuzzy" criteria. They are fun to watch flipping seals and penguins into the air.. they do that so they get stunned upon impact which makes them easier to eat... they struggle less. Lots of people make the mistake of anthropomorphizing other creatures that are not human. I do see the dichotomy where Disney is concerned as they've made most of their business on doing just that. Some people in the world have a tenuous at best grasp on the dividing line between reality and fiction.
Dartha Stewart
Well-Known Member
Those are all alligators in LWTL. Crocodiles are over at DAK.
myhappyplace
Crazy Cat Lady
The issue isn't with captivity it's the way the animals are treated in captivity. I've been to zoos where animals are social and have HUGE natural-like habitats. I have been to other zoos where the animals are lonely and pace back and forth, of course I leave guilty and angry after that. When I saw the Dolphins at Epcot I was a little taken back, there were two and they were circling the tank. It's just not big enough
There is much more to the tank than what is onstage.
I hope so. I have been to dolphin santuacties before and they have lots of stimulation for them ( balls, buoys, etc...) they have none of that in WDW.
I always thought that was a weird ride "okay kids that one swimming over there is what you are going to eat for dinner"...
myhappyplace
Crazy Cat Lady
Again, much more of that type of thing backstage, where they are free to go.