-- MAIN LINKS --

-- EVOLUTION & ADAPTATION -- BALEEN WHALE SPECIES --
-- CLASSIFICATION -- CHARACTERISTICS OF BALEEN WHALES --
-- TOOTHED WHALE SPECIES -- DOLPHINS -- SEALS --
-- ENDANGERED SPECIES -- THREATS -- GAMES --

---Background

Only a few decades ago, dolphins and whales were generally seen as large animals that could be hunted for their flesh and blubber. The knowledge about the biology of these animals was sketchy at best. It was known that these animals were marine mammals, often living in groups. Their distribution was well documented and there was some information about their growth, development and diet, derived from studying killed specimens. Their behaviour and much of their physiology remained a mystery. Since they spend most of their time under water it was very difficult to study them.

At first, dolphins were displayed only, just like fish in an aquarium. In the late 1940s, a sea lion trainer was asked to see if he could train the dolphins, kept at Marineland of Florida. He discovered that these animals were very curious and could easily be trained. Once this was discovered, dolphins were also displayed in other facilities and the interest in these animals soared. Research on behaviour and communication started and their readiness to be trained triggered a range of studies into their capabilities.

It was in a study of captive dolphins, that it was discovered that dolphins can use echolocation. Since then a lot of research has been conducted on dolphins. A lot has been learned about their learning capabilities, echolocation, sound production, imitation skills, as well as their brains, sleep, senses and physiology. At the same time, insight in the social behaviour, development and calf rearing was obtained. Also, a lot has been learned about diseases and health care. Although a lot is still unknown, the bottlenose dolphin is now among the most intensely studied marine mammals.

While a number of the dolphin's secrets were revealed, new questions continue to come up. Research on captive dolphins, together with research in the field, is necessary to be able to effectively protect whales, dolphins and porpoises in the wild. Knowledge about diseases and their treatment, developed for captive dolphins can now also be effectively used to rehabilitate sick stranded animals. In addition, research in oceanaria and research facilities can help to develop effective means to prevent dolphins and porpoises getting entangled in fishing gear, which still kills thousands of animals each year.

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---Information about the Delfinaario

The Delfinaario of Särkänniemi, Tampere, is the world northernmost inland dolphinarium. It was built in 1984 and opened its doors in May 1985.

This dolphin habitat consists of 3 pools, containing over 1 million liters of man-made sea water. The largest pool, the "show pool" is 20 m long, 7-10 m wide and 4 m deep. The smaller (backstage) holding pool is also 4 m deep. There is also a small medical pool, that can used as a quarantine in case of medical emergencies. Normally, the dolphins have access to all the pools, which are connected by a 1.5 m deep channel.

The Delfinaario is the world's first dolphinarium that uses a biological water purification system.

The water closely resembles natural sea water and no foreign chemicals are added to the water.
Dolphin care

Särkänniemi has a group of dedicated dolphin caretakers and trainers. They work on building a solid relationship with the dolphins, based on mutual respect and trust. They do this by being and playing with the dolphins also outside normal presentations and training sessions.

The dolphins are fed several times a day. During training sessions they get a small portion of fish. Outside the training sessions they get the rest of their ration for the day. Each dolphin gets a predetermined quantity of fish each day, based on their requirements.

Throughout the day there are training sessions in which each dolphin gets a chance to practise known behaviours and work on new ones. The dolphins are also trained to co-operate in physical examinations, so that their health can be checked on a regular basis. During the summer, there are daily performances. In winter, the dolphins can be seen in the "dolphin school" which is a normal training session which is open to the public.

During the day, the dolphins get time to socialize and play together. In the evening and night the dolphins are quiet and enjoy a night's rest. The trainers follow the dolphins' behaviour closely, since
changes in behaviour can indicate the onset of health problems. By keeping an eye open for subtle behavioural changes, the trainers can deal with diseases before they become a problem.

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---Dolphin care

Särkänniemi has a group of dedicated dolphin caretakers and trainers. They work on building a solid relationship with the dolphins, based on mutual respect and trust. They do this by being and playing with the dolphins also outside normal presentations and training sessions.

The dolphins are fed several times a day. During training sessions they get a small portion of fish. Outside the training sessions they get the rest of their ration for the day. Each dolphin gets a predetermined quantity of fish each day, based on their requirements.

Throughout the day there are training sessions in which each dolphin gets a chance to practise known behaviours and work on new ones. The dolphins are also trained to co-operate in physical examinations, so that their health can be checked on a regular basis. During the summer, there are daily performances. In winter, the dolphins can be seen in the "dolphin school" which is a normal training session which is open to the public.

For more information about the training, see the Dolphin training section.

During the day, the dolphins get time to socialize and play together. In the evening and night the dolphins are quiet and enjoy a night's rest.

The trainers follow the dolphins' behaviour closely, sincechanges in behaviour can indicate the onset of health problems. By keeping an eye open for subtle behavioural changes, the trainers can deal with diseases before they become a problem.

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---Research

In the 12 years since the Delfinaario opened its doors, 16 research projects have been performed.

These project covered subjects like the dolphins' behaviour at night, echolocation and communication signals as well as dolphin-assisted therapy for autistic children.

Several clinical examinations have been performed as well, which are essential for the continued well-being of the dolphins.

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---Releases and responsibilities

Dolphins that are born in oceanaria or have spent a considerable part of their lives there have become used to human care in a protected environment. They have in a way become tame animals. Can we release these animals into the open sea without risks?

Most of the releases done so far have been poorly documented, so that nobody knows if the dolphins survived. In most cases, no attempts have been made to see if the dolphins were doing okay, or the dolphins have not been found. Some had to be recaptured, because they were in very poor condition.

Of a group of 9 dolphins released in Australia in the area they originally came from, 3 had to be recaptured in poor condition and one (a few months old calf) died. The other 5 dolphins disappeared
and have not been seen again. A dolphin released in Brasil has been seen several times, but only interacting with humans or with dolphins of another species, not with dolphins of the same species.

Only 2 dolphins that were released after only 2 years in captivity are known to be doing well. Dolphins that have lived in a protected environment for a long time (especially dolphins that have been born there) will have severe problems finding proper food resources and identifying predators and other dangers. In addition, they may have picked up bacteria or viruses to which they have become resistant, but which may put the wild dolphins they would come in contact with at risk.

So why release dolphins, that have become used to being cared for and put them at risk? We have to keep in mind that releasing dolphins is still experimental. So releasing dolphins should be considered experimenting with animals.

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