The following pictures are scans of a detailed description of a trainers thoughts and actions when one of his dolphins refused to perform. They are in his own handwriting and are taken from the original official daily feed & behavioural log of Brighton Dolphinarium. It was written in 1984. The trainer was provided with copies as long ago as 1991/2 and asked to comment... long before we made it available. To date (Jan '97) he has not responded.
For the benefit of those who question the validity of using what they have termed "old data" ECO provides the following reasons why we feel it is not only important, but why it is still valid in today's captive industry.
At the time the document was written the UK captivity industry were stating categorically to all who would listen (including newspapers, television and the Government) "Our dolphins receive ALL their daily food at the end of the day, no matter how they work." Aren't they making those same statements TODAY?
The UK government report into dolphinariums [A Review of Dolphinaria prepared for DOE by Dr. M.Klinowska and Dr. S.Brown, 1986] was initiated to investigate conditions for captive cetacea, amongst other issues. The document you see should have been available to the authors, BUT, was never disclosed. Therefore, how open and truthful were the captivity industry then and NOW?
Immediately we received the original document we lodged an official complaint with the International Marine Animal Trainers Association (IMATA) asking them to take action against one of their members for gross neglect and abuse. IMATA refused point blank to investigate. The main reason given was that we were not members of their organisation. This rule still applies TODAY, therefore how can anyone not a member of IMATA lodge complaints or concerns?
The person who so clearly put his thoughts and feelings toward his dolphins into writing still works in the captivity industry TODAY. He also remains a member of the industries professional body IMATA.
By proving we can expose abuse we feel the captivity industry may be more diligent in their care and treatment of captive cetacea... for fear an ECO investigator is looking over their shoulder or a concerned employee will provide us with information they know we will investigate TODAY!