While the law carves out exemptions for those conducting research or rescuing and rehabilitating cetaceans, its punitive approach towards aquariums doesn’t conform with good animal science or welfare.
This law represents the disconnect between a modern, science-based understanding of animal welfare and reactionary, emotionally charged policymaking. Unfortunately, Canada isn’t alone in their archaic view of aquariums. This spring, activists protested at aquariums around the world in an ill-informed attempt to “Empty the Tanks.”
The best aquariums conduct, fund or collaborate on research that furthers our understanding of aquatic animals and helps scientists protect wild animals. In fact, the overwhelming preponderance of what is known about the biology, physiology, cognitive capacity, behavior, and other technical aspects of cetaceans and other marine species emerged through scientific investigations led by public, private, and academic aquariums.
The scientists expected Beluga whales to experience hearing loss as they age, a trend that has been documented in both bottlenose dolphins and humans, but instead they found that Belugas have sensitive hearing that doesn’t diminish as they get older. This research has implications for how we manage noisy human activities, like shipping and oil drilling, in Beluga habitats.
Research like this is especially important given the threats that Belugas face in the wild. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service considers populations of Belugas around Alaska endangered. Climate change, melting Arctic sea ice and the degradation of the Arctic food chain all represent a threat to Beluga whales.
Wantonly attacking all aquariums will ultimately end up hurting animals – as institutions have fewer dollars to spend on conservation and research. Rather than making it harder for the best aquariums to operate, we should elevate them and shine a light on what they do. Families interested in learning about the natural world should be able to spend their dollars and leisure time at high-quality zoological institutions.
Instead of demonizing all aquariums, let’s close the menageries and recognize those that protect animals and applaud them for it.
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