On May 17th the Government of India has decided "not to allow establishment of dolphinarium in the country", i.e. to ban cetacean captivity projects in a Republic counting 1,210,000,000+ inhabitants.
The rationale (available HERE) includes, among others, the following impressive statements:
Whereas cetaceans in general are highly intelligent and sensitive, and various scientists who have researched dolphin behavior have suggested that the unusually high intelligence; as compared to other animals means that dolphin should be seen as “non-human persons” and as such should have their own specific rights and is morally unacceptable to keep them captive for entertainment purpose,
Whereas cetaceans in general do not survive well in captivity. Confinement in captivity can seriously compromise the welfare and survival of all types of cetaceans by altering their behaviour and causing extreme distress.
Circular F. No. 20-1/2010-CZA(M) of 17 May 2013, "Policy on establishment of dolphinarium" (the original document can be retrieved HERE)
The decision by the Government of India had been announced short ago, as communicated by WDC.
(photo G. Bearzi)
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