Earth Island Institute says dolphin shows may make captivity appear harmless, educational, or beneficial while raising concerns over the welfare of marine mammals.
A global environmental organization criticized TV show “Unang Hirit” for featuring dolphins in captivity, highlighting how even a lighthearted activity can unwittingly perpetuate harmful practices against animals. Earth Island Institute published an open letter to Unang Hirit on July 30 regarding its July 23 episode, where the program featured activities with dolphins at Ocean Adventure in Subic Bay for World Whale and Dolphin Day.
The feature had hosts JR Royol and Jeniffer Maravilla bonding with the dolphins and their trainers. They rode on the dolphins’ backs, fed them treats, and had them perform tricks, while talking with the dolphin trainers. Earth Island Institute’s Philippine arm said that while the feature may have been well-intentioned, it nonetheless endorsed dolphin captivity, which still risks the animals’ welfare and well-being.
“When captive marine mammals are portrayed as attractions to visit, touch, and interact with—without presenting the scientific, ethical, and conservation issues surrounding captivity—the public may come away with the impression that these practices are harmless, educational, or even beneficial to wildlife,” the group wrote.
With millions of viewers, Unang Hirit carries the responsibility to educate viewers on wildlife conservation and science-based ways of appreciating animals, the group added.
“Scientific evidence shows that captivity severely restricts the natural behaviors of dolphins (…) Confinement compromises their welfare and has consistently been associated with chronic stress, abnormal repetitive behaviors, and reduced opportunities to express their natural behaviors,” the statement said.
World Whale and Dolphin Day on July 23 commemorates the International Whaling Commission’s decision in 1982 to outlaw the commercial slaughter of whales and dolphins. Amid the day’s message of protection and conservation, Earth Island Institute said further measures should be taken to curb the animals’ commercial exploitation for entertainment.
Ocean Adventure Subic Bay on its website says it values animal care and welfare, aiming to both entertain and educate the public with activities backed by a team of environmentalists and conservationists.
Earth Island Institute, together with the Philippine Animal Welfare Society, filed a case in 2007 against Ocean Adventure for allegedly violating the Animal Welfare Act due to dolphin captivity. The Supreme Court dismissed the case in 2009, citing a technicality in the law’s definition of “animals.”
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