Mallorca dolphin shows: charity demands a ban

Dolphin and sea lion shows at Marineland Mallorca should be banned, the Fundación Franz Weber says. The animal welfare foundation made the call on Wednesday, arguing that the park represents what should not happen at a venue set up to conserve wild animals in captivity. It says the current law still permits public displays involving cetaceans — the group that includes dolphins.

The foundation says this leaves the Balearics behind as Europe moves towards ending such performances. It also points to what it calls an “obvious contradiction”: captive-bred wild animals cannot perform in circuses under the law, while dolphin shows remain allowed.

Foundation attacks captivity model

According to the Fundación Franz Weber, scientific studies show captivity harms cetaceans’ physical health and affects brain function. It says small facilities, reduced exercise and limited contact with others of the same species prevent normal social behaviour, care, feeding and long-distance movement.

The group rejects the idea that the displays are educational. It says they turn dolphins and sea lions into entertainment objects, with no value for conservation or for informing the public.

Spain has the most dolphinariums still open in the European Union, the foundation says. It estimates that nearly 100 dolphins and about six orcas are made to perform jumps and tricks unrelated to their natural behaviour.

For now, the foundation wants the law to tackle the use of animals at parks such as Marineland Mallorca and end the shows it says the legislation still allows.

Topics: Nature & wildlife

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com