Trouble at the Gulfarium
May 30th, 2007 by admin
A recent government inspection at the Gulfarium in Fort Walton Beach found serious problems, including at least six unreported deaths of dolphins or sea lions at the aquarium since 2004. The surprise inspection, by representatives from the USDA, NOAA and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, was likely in response to the deaths of another two dolphins in April (the aquarium reported those deaths).
The stress of living in barren concrete tanks contributes to a high mortality rate among captive marine mammals.
According to the Gulfarium’s website, captive dolphins and sea lions “demonstrate their intelligence by performing graceful leaps synchronized with split-second accuracy.”(?!) We think that the deaths of eight animals in the past four years demonstrates that marine parks are an industry built on suffering.
You Can Help
Dolphins belong in the ocean. Please don’t visit marine parks and aquariums. Educate your family, friends and co-workers: click here to download ARFF’s brochure, “Chlorinated Cruelty.”