Washington, D.C. — A Commerson’s dolphin named “Betsy” has died at SeaWorld Orlando’s Aquatica park. Following the death of an 18-year-old orca named “Unna” at SeaWorld San Antonio in December, Betsy is the fourth marine mammal known to die at SeaWorld since June. Born Free USA, a global leader in animal welfare and wildlife conservation, reports that this tragic rate of demise is unacceptable, and reinforces the conclusion that cruel captivity is completely unsuitable for marine mammals.[teaserbreak]
According to Adam M. Roberts, CEO of Born Free USA and Born Free Foundation, “Betsy had only the briefest taste of freedom before she was captured from the wild at less than one year of age. She clung to life in a bleak concrete tank for decades, never again seeing the open ocean or her pod. Instead, she was gawked at by visitors as she languished in a pool.”
Commerson’s dolphins can swim at up to eight miles per hour in the wild. They are playful, known for leaping and spinning in the air. Their acrobatics and high swimming speeds mean that they are highly active in the wild: something that cannot be replicated in a tank. They are social animals who can live in groups of two to 100 dolphins and communicate with clicks and whistles. These natural needs and behaviors cannot be met in captivity, leading to a frustrating existence, complete with mental and physical anguish.
Roberts continued, “How much longer will SeaWorld pretend that it is contributing to wildlife conservation or meeting animal welfare needs by keeping these remarkably intelligent animals on display? The exploitative use of marine mammals is driven by greed, pure and simple. Enough is enough. It’s long past time for SeaWorld to yield to public sentiment and the welfare of these individual animals, and end marine mammal captivity for good.”
Born Free USA is a global leader in animal welfare and wildlife conservation. Through litigation, legislation, and public education, Born Free USA leads vital campaigns against animals in entertainment, exotic “pets,” trapping and fur, and the destructive international wildlife trade. Born Free USA brings to America the message of “compassionate conservation”—the vision of the U.K.-based Born Free Foundation, established in 1984 by Bill Travers and Virginia McKenna, stars of the iconic film Born Free, along with their son Will Travers. Born Free’s mission is to end suffering of wild animals in captivity, conserve threatened and endangered species, and encourage compassionate conservation globally. More at www.bornfreeusa.org, www.twitter.com/bornfreeusa, and www.facebook.com/bornfreeusa.
Media Contact: Rodi Rosensweig, 203/270-8929, therodicompany@gmail.com