5 Videos That Prove Dolphins are Amazingly Intelligent
If we were going to hold a Spelling Bee or a trivia contest, and animals could talk during this contest, we definitely wouldn’t want to invite dolphins. They would blow everyone else out of the water because they’re crazy smart.
Dolphins, which are second in intelligence behind humans, are one of the few animals that can learn new things throughout their lives, and then teach those new skills to their young.
Dolphins are also one of the few animals that create their own games, and, even cooler, they have been observed playing games with other sea creatures. And maybe that’s because their brains are pretty complex, according to Emory University dolphin expert Lori Marino. ADiscovery article discussing her research found that dolphin brains are pretty big, relative to the size of their bodies, intricate, with a “more highly convoluted” neocortex than our own, and structured for self-awareness and more complex emotions than most other animals. Theneocortex is responsible for forming perceptions, memories and thoughts.
“Essentially, the brains of primates and cetaceans arrived at the same cognitive space while evolving along quite different paths,” Marino told Discovery.
Some research says dolphins might even be able to use the hemispheres of their brain separately. This idea is supported by the fact that dolphins can move their eyes independently, leading some scientists to say that they might be able to sleep with one side of their brain at a time.
Here are some amazing videos that prove how smart they are, which is just one reason whywe shouldn’t keep them in captivity. Oh, but don’t expect to see any funny videos of dolphins playing with their reflections, because they’re too smart for that, too, and have been shown to recognize their reflections.
1. Scientists test dolphins curiosity and playfulness with underwater bubble machines.
Image source: Michele W/Flickr
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A new coalition launched this week in the European Parliament, carrying the clear message that they are seeking a Dolphinaria-Free Europe. The Dolphinaria-Free Europe (DFE) coalition was founded in July 2013 by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and professionals from across Europe who share a collective concern for the quality of life and welfare of captive cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises).
There are currently 309 individual cetaceans housed in 33 facilities across 15 European Union (EU) member states. There are 13 EU member states that are dolphinaria-free. The DFE coalition now has 19 members from across 11 EU member states, who are combining their efforts as Europe’s united voice for captive cetaceans.
A Change for Europe’s Dolphins
Samantha Goddard, DFE Secretary and Born Free Foundation Programs Assistant, says of the coalition, “DFE represents the leading expertise in cetacean biology and welfare in Europe and across other parts of the world, all of whom are working to achieve the highest possible standards of captive cetacean welfare while cetaceans remain in captivity, ultimately seeking an end to this outdated practice of confining cetaceans in artificial environments.”
The DFE coalition is placing a great importance on the improvement of captive conditions for those cetaceans in confinement, conditions that do not in any way resemble a cetacean’s natural environment.
Dr. Naomi Rose, DFE consultant and Animal Welfare Institute marine mammal scientist, says of the captive environment for cetaceans, “Unlike with some other zoo species, it is impossible to replicate almost any part of a cetacean’s natural habitat in captivity. A tank is filled with water – that’s about it. The water isn’t even always natural saltwater – it is often artificially salinated. A tank has no currents, no temperature gradients, no sand, mud, or coral, no algae or sea grass or kelp, no other animals – no fish, no invertebrates. Nothing that is stimulating or changing. A tank, as a ‘habitat’ for such an intelligent animal, is certainly one thing, no matter what other debates there might be – it is monotonic, dull, boring. And life for a captive cetacean is therefore often unnaturally and depressingly boring.”
The coalition is calling for an end to the use of cetaceans in performance-based shows, for an end to public interaction programs with captive cetaceans and for an end to captive cetacean breeding programs. It is also asking that cetaceans currently in captivity be assessed for their suitability to enter a rehabilitation program and to be released where possible. Several of the coalition’s members are, at this time, undertaking work to identify and assess suitable locations on the EU coastline for the development of cetacean retirement and rehabilitation centres.
DFE’s launch to Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) this week is taking it one step closer to its goal. Goddard explains, “DFE wants to ensure that this information, about the effects of captivity on cetaceans and the state of cetacean welfare in captivity in Europe, is reaching MEPs and those who have the capacity to influence legislation that better protects cetaceans, both captive and free-ranging.” Goddard continues, “The coalition wants to move the focus away from keeping cetaceans in captivity and toward better protecting cetaceans in the wild because we believe that fundamentally, these large, complex and aquatic beings should not be confined.”
As part of the launch week, DFE and Keith Taylor MEP co-hosted a screening of Blackfish for MEPs, with school children from Devonshire Road Primary School in Bolton, UK attending topresent their poem about cetacean captivity.
Daniel Turner, DFE EU Policy Coordinator and Born Free Foundation Programs Manager, explains that following the screening, the coalition held a launch event, where MEPs could find out more about the coalition and about cetacean captivity in Europe.
“The launch of the Dolphinaria-Free Europe coalition in the European Parliament has been a huge success with over 25 Euro-parliamentarians pledging their support,” Turner reports. “Our focus is now to receive similar cross-Party support for a resolution, sponsored by Keith Taylor MEP, which calls for a raise in standards, which would mean a phasing out of cetacean captivity in Europe.” Within the next week, MEP support pledge photographs will be shared on DFE’s
How You Can Participate
Within the next week, MEP support pledge photographs will be shared on DFE’s Facebookand Twitter pages.
There will be an opportunity to find out more about DFE from coalition members atWhaleFest in Brighton, UK on March 14th and 15th, 2015 and you can also support the coalition’s work by signing the “promise for freedom“ pledge.
Image source: Jason/Flickr
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Mercury is a serious and dangerous pollutant found in dolphins caught in Taiji at very high levels, exceeding Japanese and World Health Organization recommended safe levels, sometimes by orders of magnitude. See our danger: Dolphin Meat is Poisoned by Mercury.
A recent article in the scientific journal Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry measured mercury levels in yellowfin tuna in the North Pacific Ocean over time, finding that mercury levels are rising 3.8 percent annually. That is a huge increase, but the authors believe that it is in keeping with models of mercury deposition generally in the oceans.
If steps are not taken to reduce the increase in mercury pollution from human sources, the amount of mercury in North Pacific waters is expected to double by the year 2050. We can expect a similar rise in mercury in seafood.
While there is some mercury naturally floating in the ocean from geologic processes, most oceanic mercury is human-caused which concentrates up the food chain, resulting in high levels in top predators in the ocean, such as tuna and dolphins.
Mercury Pollution Travels Up the Food Chain
A lot of the mercury in the ocean originates from the burning of fossil fuels, particularly coal, which lofts mercury into the atmosphere where it eventually comes down to the ocean, as well as mercury washed down streams and rivers from gold mining operations.
Yellowfin tuna is the species that travels with dolphins in the Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean. Mexico, Venezuela and Colombia continue to chase and net dolphins in order to catch yellowfin tuna, killing many dolphins annually. The yellowfin that travel with dolphins tend to be the oldest, largest tuna, so concentrations of mercury tends to be very high in dolphin-deadly tuna from these countries. Dolphin safe tuna, by contrast, is skipjack, a species that does not live as long as yellowfin, resulting in less mercury accumulation and healthier populations.
One study showed estimates of 300,000 to 600,000 children born each year in the U.S. have mercury levels in cord blood exceeding levels that are known to cause a significant loss of IQ, resulting in an estimated $8.7 billion in lost income.
Killing Dolphins and Poisoning Humans
The contamination of mercury, shown in tests conducted by Japanese scientists and nonprofit organizations like Earth Island Institute, means the Taiji dolphin hunters and the Japan Fisheries Agency are selling contaminated meat of dolphins to an unsuspecting public, without any food label warnings about the growing mercury problem. We can expect that mercury levels, already higher in dolphin meat than in tuna, are also rising. Babies are the biggest losers, as they are most susceptible to mercury poisoning.
Mercury is the most poisonous substance known, aside from plutonium. We are dumping huge amounts into the environment, where it comes back to haunt us in our seafood.
Dolphins should not be the victims of our sloppy energy generation, nor should Japanese children be born with serious mental deficits due to mercury poisoning from eating Taiji’s dolphin meat.
Image source: NOAA/Flickr
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More Shocking Video Emerges of Marineland Mallorca Dolphin Abuser Who Has Since Disappeared. Updated.
The dolphin jerks back as the trainer approaches running towards him:
More Shocking Video Emerges of Marineland Mallorca Dolphin Abuser Who Has Since Disappeared. Updated.
Recently the Georgia Aquarium hired a new Senior Vice President who has been accused of beating, kicking and shouting profanities while training dolphins during his stint at Mallorca Marineland. Georgia Aquarium has stated they will fire José Luis Barbero if it's proven that this is him in the video.
Spanish animal rights group SOS Delfines posted the undercover video, which it claims shows trainer José Luis Barbero among those engaging in the aggressive training techniques.
Recently new video has emerged showing further the type of abuse that is conducted on a daily basis in captivity. 60% of all newly captured dolphins due within 2 years of capture, this is why...
This is how they die from stress.
SHOCKING MOMENTS:
At the end of the video, around 3:40, we see a struggling dolphin trying to reach the bucket of fish:
The trainer is hidden behind the pole but sees the incident and reacts violently.
The dolphin jerks back as the trainer approaches running towards him:
When the trainer sees the dolphins trying to feed itself, he jumps (full force) on top the dolphin, feet first with right arm extended to hit the dolphin.
The trainer lunges at the dolphin slapping him as he attempts to jump on top of him.
The trainer's open hand is still in position to strike again as he falls with the dolphin into the water. The dolphin attempts to flee in an erratic manner.
Watch the rest of the newly released video below:
Georgia Aquarium has a responsibility to not only abide the code of IMATA but to help these dolphins stuck in incredibly high-stress conditions causing premature death.
UPDATE:In a since Tuesday March 3, Barbero has " disappeared without a trace", according to reports the man is said to be the former dolphin trainer from the Marineland Mallorca, Jose Luis Barbero. The 59-year-old was in the headlines at the beginning of February, after a YouTube video in the social networks spread, Barbero was allegedly showing how he insulted, kicked and screamed at dolphins during the training acting on a high level of contempt and anger, breaking the IMATA code of conduct.According to police information exchange Barbero left in the morning from his home in El Toro in the municipality of Calvia with his car on the way to an appointment, where he never arrived. On Wednesday (March 4) a large-scale search was initiated by the Guardia Civil. It was also a Hubscharuaber and a boat of the Coast Guard. What is still missing is the person in question but still each track is being studied..There is a group trying to ban dolphinariums from Europe. Please join them and let's stop this together.https://www.facebook.com/dolphinaria.free.europe<<Just released from an intercontinental group working on exposing the dolphin abuser>>
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
TDAG
https://www.facebook.com/groups/taijiactiongroup/
US contact : Michellebollo@yahoo.com phone : 760-840-0414
European contact : thomas.gainard@gmail.com phone : +353 851 880 138
New video about dolphin abuse in Marineland Mallorca demands transparency
05 March 2015
Footage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4C8U27IPynw
TDAG
https://www.facebook.com/groups/taijiactiongroup/
US contact : Michellebollo@yahoo.com phone : 760-840-0414
European contact : thomas.gainard@gmail.com phone : +353 851 880 138
New video about dolphin abuse in Marineland Mallorca demands transparency
05 March 2015
Footage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4C8U27IPynw
New footage of video showing inappropriate trainer interactions with dolphins demands transparency and accountability in dolphin training and care. The new video follows a February 5, 2015, video released by the Spanish organisation SOSDelfines that it had received from an international group of activists. The video showed Marineland Mallorca trainers hitting, kicking and yelling at dolphins in their care.
"Slacker, you are a slacker", "Touch the fucking ball", "I'll throw the bucket on your head", "Are you stupid or are you pretending to be?". These and other similar words are shown being used during training sessions at Marineland Mallorca. Not only verbal, but also physical aggressive acts are used during training, such as punching, kicking or violent jumps on the dolphins. Jose Luis Barbero, the Head Trainer at Marineland Mallorca at the time of filming, as well as other unnamed junior trainers under Barbero's authority are seen using this method of training.
The training method endorsed by the International Marine Animal Trainers Association (IMATA) is positive reinforcement, in which a dolphin is rewarded for correctly performing a trick. In the case of Marineland Mallorca, even though positive reinforcement may also be used, inappropriate negative methods are used in which the dolphins are yelled at, slapped or kicked if they do not perform correctly. IMATA released a video statement on February 8, 2015, in which it condemned these negative methods as "awful, unacceptable, and just plain wrong." IMATA translated the video from English into four other languages, ensuring that its message was widely understood.
The new images support the conclusion that the original video is not "faked" as has been asserted by the Georgia Aquarium located in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, which had hired Mr. Barbero as a Senior Vice-President. Marineland Mallorca has merely denied those allegations, having been reported to claim that the video was "manipulated in order to make the audience believe an alleged animal abuse [took place] in the park." The park has also made various claims: first, that this negative training "never occurred" in this park, but later stating that the video "does not reflect continued training of dolphins." There is no indication that disciplinary measures have been taken against the perpetrators.
SOS Delfines has filed two formal complaints, claiming of violations of the Law 1/1992 on the protection of animals (to the Directorate General of Rural and Marine Affairs) and of the requirements for the handling and training of cetaceans under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (to SOIVRE, the Official Service Inspection, Supervision and Regulation of Exports). On February 12, Marineland announced that it had initiated legal action in reference to the video published by SOSDelfines. Claiming that after performing a thorough investigation and conducting a "detailed analysis," it had found "sufficient evidence" to believe that "the contents of the video posted had been manipulated in order to make people believe alleged mistreatment."
The group responsible for acquiring the film footage is made up of people from all around the world who intended to expose the truth of what occurs "behind the scenes," in between the dolphin shows. The film sequences were obtained over a two-month period of surveillance of the park, in which over 60 hours of footage was collected. The video, both the one originally released and the "new" video, is a condensed version having removed mostly empty sequences.
The video raises the following and other questions that must be answered in order to ensure transparency and accountability in the care and training of captive dolphins and that the welfare of dolphins is being appropriately managed by those who have complete control over their lives:
. What reporting or other measures has IMATA established in order to ensure that IMATA members are using only training methods endorsed by its policies?
. What reporting mechanisms has the aquarium industry established allowing people to report inappropriate training or care?
. How does IMATA or the aquarium industry disseminate these reporting mechanisms to its members or the public, respectively.
. What was the "thorough" vetting process that Georgia Aquarium claims it performed, and will it retain Barbero as its Senior Vice-President?
. Were there reports of inappropriate trainer methods at Marineland Mallorca (or other facilities at which Mr. Barbero was employed)?
. What disciplinary measures will be taken to ensure that negative training methods will not be used?
. Which expert did the video analysis for Marineland Mallorca to claim that the initial video was a fake and will they publish this report?
Other sources: http://www.europapress.es/illes-balears/noticia-marineland-mallorca-inicia-acciones-legales-referencia-video-difundido-presunto-maltrato-delfines-20150212124420.htm
https://www.imata.org/news_splash
Taiji dolphins end up in this hell.
At Dolfina Dolphinarium in Sharm-El Sheikh Egypt shocking abuse was witnessed towards the captive dolphins who did back to back shows with grueling acrobatics, followed up with two back to back "swim-with" programs.
The dolphins were seen laying on their sides in exhaustion after the second round of pulling heavy tourists through chlorinated water.
Meanwhile, at the main show...A trainer is seen crushing a rostrum of a gentle dolphin while the other begged for dead fish.
While the little one gets "trained" the elder pleads for compassion, or at the very least, a dead fish for the trick just performed.
One wonders if Seac Sub suits would like to be promoted during to this type of twisted abuse.
Constant pushing of the rostrum throughout the show as hungry dolphins try to get to any food they can. Very little food was witnessed being given during the grueling show, if any.
Every dolphin got a taste of this guys ribbed rubber sole during the show.
This is not an acceptable form of entertainment.
Scarred and battered dolphin (R) poses for these ticket-buyers to help.
Later that day, these two dolphins (one that was on the cover getting stepped on is on the right of the below picture) performed swim with sessions for 20 people dragging them around a pool. This a 365 day a year schedule with 3 grueling shows a day in addition to the "swim-withs" which can be up to 3 times a day.
Constant stress from performing - pulling and beaching on ledges...
The dolphin lay on their side after the swim with session, exhausted.
then art lessons for the public ....
You are not mighty.
This is still going on because people are ignorant to what happens to the dolphins or where they are from.
Margeux Dodds, director of Marine Connection had this to say about Dolfina:
This is indeed the same owners (in
fact the son of) the owner of the ex-Dolphinella in Sharm which has now
closed and his son has reopened another facility called Dolfina in Haba.
A concerned citizen who was holidaying in the area last year went into Dolfina and he kindly took these up-to-date photographs.
Anyway, yes we still have our eye on what is happening here as his father
took delivery of some dolphins from Taiji - we do have some information on
this and background details to our 'See Red' campaign on our website at the
following link and also continue to monitor this
http://www.marineconnection.org/seered.htm
Margaux Dodds
Director
www.marineconnection.org
On their site they describe:
2013 : Sharm's Dolphinella dolphins moved
The facility known as Dolphinella has closed and the dolphins which have for many years been in Dolphinella, Sharm el Sheikh were moved to the new facility now renamed 'Dolphina' in Nabq Bay where they have been joined by one young dolphin, transferred from Magicland in Cairo.
The owners of this facility also purchased four dolphins from the notorious drive hunts in Taiji, Japan which are being held at the sister facility of Dolphina in Hurghada.
| Dolphinella - background information |
 |  |
| Background to the Dolphinella campaign | Dolphinella's false claims |
DON'T BUY A TICKET! A follow up to this story is posted HERE
Call goes out for dolphinarium-free Europe
Whale and dolphin experts from across the world today launched a new campaign at the European Parliament to ban dolphin captivity in Europe, putting an end to a long saga of abuse and exploitation.
Stop Electrocuting Dolphins
Target: President Thein Sein, President of Myanmar
Goal: Crack down on the illegal practice of “electro-fishing,” which has been harming fish and dolphins in Myanmar waters.
The new and illegal form of fishing called “electro-fishing,” which some fishermen in Myanmar use, depletes the fish supply and also harms dolphins as an unintended consequence. Electro-fishing is the method of using electrical currents in the water to stun fish, while fishermen collect copious amounts of the stunned fish with their nets. This method depletes fish, which is the main source of food for dolphins, and sometimes this method even directly results in the deaths of dolphins. If something is not done about this destructive fishing method, the fish populations will become critically low and dolphins of the affected areas of Myanmar will become extinct.
The Irrawaddy River, which is Myanmar’s largest and most commercially important river, is most affected by the electro-fishing method. The dolphin species that inhabits this main river, the Irrawaddy dolphins, is currently critically endangered in Myanmar. Over the years, the number of these dolphins dropped rapidly and now there are no more than 60 individuals in Myanmar.
The traditional fishermen of the Irrawaddy River have been working cooperatively with the dolphins for generations. The fishermen use a special whistle to signal the dolphins and the dolphins help round up fish for the fishermen to catch. This cooperative method generally increased the fishermen’s catch by nearly six times what they would catch without the dolphins’ help, and the dolphins consume any fish that escape from the fishermen’s nets. The electro-fishermen have also been using the dolphins to round up fish to stun, and the dolphins are also harmed by the shocks. This has made the dolphins wary of helping any fishermen.
Electro-fishing boats were introduced to Myanmar about ten years ago. Although the practice is illegal, and perpetrators may face three-year prison sentences and fines, electro-fishermen are not deterred from continuing their destruction of the water ecosystem.
Please sign the petition below to urge the president of Myanmar to crack down on the illegal electro-fishing practice and to monitor the fishing activities on the Irrawaddy River more closely. The Irrawaddy dolphins will not survive if this destructive fishing practice continues unhindered, and the long-cherished cooperative spirit between the traditional fishermen and dolphins will continue to deteriorate if nothing is done.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear President Thein Sein,
The Irrawaddy dolphins in Myanmar have been living peacefully and cooperatively with the fishermen of the Irrawaddy River for generations. However, the new and illegal practice of “electro-fishing” is starting to sever this close bond between the fishermen and dolphins, and has in effect harmed both sides. The traditional fishermen’s livelihoods are affected by the diminishing fish supply, and the dolphins are often harmed by the underwater shocks and are finding it difficult to find abundant food sources.
Please enforce stringent laws to ban the illegal electro-fishing method. The current punishments for electro-fishing perpetrators are clearly not enough to deter the fishermen from continuing this practice. The survival of the Irrawaddy dolphins is in your hands.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo credit: Stefan Brending via Wikimedia Commons
