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Whale of a time

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16 Comments
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Poor thing. Set him free.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

If they set him free, he would not be able to survive for a long time and would die within a year.

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

he would not be able to survive for a long time and would die within a year.

Hence justifying the captivity huh?

2 ( +4 / -2 )

@Wallace

No I did not say that. I say it seems too late to release him. He is fed good everyday and supplements of vitamins almost everyday and given medicine when he is sick.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

They are sentient living mammals (just like us) not entertainment and they deserve more respect. Sickening and very ignorant.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

I'm wondering how many of the above posts condemning the practice of keeping animals in pools and cages have spent time in zoos? Whether you believe it or not, zoos and aquariums are important for animal conservation. Many things are learned from captive animals, husbandry, behaviour, diet, adaptability and more. Just because you don't agree with the practice does not make it wrong. Yes, there have been many sad cases of abuse like that single dolphin that was left to die alone in the Chiba aquarium that closed. However, the pros far outweigh the cons of captive animals.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Japanese government and Taiji must end dolphin and whale captivity trade. These beautiful mammals belong in our! oceans - not artificial enclosures where they perform for human amusement and greed. Ban marine parks worldwide.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

Many things are learned from captive animals, husbandry, behaviour, diet, adaptability...

...the fact that whales don't belong in tanks, and more.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

If they set him free, he would not be able to survive for a long time and would die within a year.

Cetaceans tend to live longer in the wild than in captivity.

*In nature**, belugas can live up to 60-70 years, bottlenose dolphins up to 50-60 years, and orcas up to 70 or 90 years- females live longer than males.*

*In captivity, many cetaceans die young and life expectancy in general might be reduced by half.** In aquaria, dolphins rarely live more than 20 years. Orcas rarely reach middle age. Belugas live half as long as they would in nature.*

http://sosdolphins.org/nature-vs-captivity

Hakkeijima Sea Paradise has 'attractions' where kids can chase around after fish in shallow water, catching them by hand and frying them up there and then: roller coasters and other rides where visitors are invited to 'go wild', and seasonal fireworks displays.

What with the vibrations from the rides, screams of excited kids, booms and flashes of fireworks, and the daily prospect of being unceremoniously hoiked out of inches of water to be eaten, the place don't sound like much of a paradise for the inmates.

http://www.seaparadise.co.jp/english/index.html#group1-3

zoos and aquariums are important for animal conservation

Yes they are, but this place isn't in the same category. Lookit the website. This 'paradise' isn't remotely dedicated to animal conservation; it's all about using and abusing them for entertainment.

Invalid CSRF

7 ( +7 / -0 )

Cetaceans tend to live longer in the wild than in captivity.

That whale is no longer wild and strong in the wild. It has had good food and good medicine given for years, so its body immune power is weakened, so it can't survive long outside, better not let him free.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

That is not a smile, or a grin, its an anticipatory humans for lunch moment, marinate with salt water before devouring whole, or many be an arm or a leg of the little ones, or a wing.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

That whale is no longer wild and strong in the wild. It has had good food and good medicine given for years, so its body immune power is weakened, so it can't survive long outside, better not let him free.

The point being that the poor thing should never have been in captivity in the first place.

Invalid CSRF

4 ( +4 / -0 )

I’d spit at anyone who kept me in captivity as well.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

you say that the whale is looked after in captivity - do you not realise how they are "trained" to perform the stupid tricks ? They are deprived of food until they do it right. as for being treated with medication etc - that is to keep them sedated so they don't misbehave - it has nothing to do with their welfare. wake up and see the reality - whales and dolphins are extremely intellectual animals and do not deserve to be treated in this way. The Japanese need to show them more respect.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

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