
Dolphins will live in a new facility.
The dolphins from the Baltimore’s National Aquarium will be moved into an ocean sanctuary soon. The seaside facility will be the new home for the eight retired dolphins.
Furthermore, environmental groups such as Humane Society of the United States and the Ethical Treatment of Animals were very excited by this initiative.
According to John Racanelli, CEO of the National Aquarium, the sanctuary will provide isolation pools for dolphins in need of medical attention. Plus it will also be measured in acres, have excellent water quality and a full-time staff that will take care of the eight mammals.
Dolphins are highly intelligent creatures, and they need to be provided with enough space to express themselves in a habitat similar to the ocean. Plus, dolphins are not solitary marine creatures, so they must live in a group.
Research has shown that if dolphins are forced to live in a tank, they will most probably show signs of aggression. Their behavior changes because they feel isolated. Plus, living in a tank will affect them psychologically.
Nevertheless, such a massive project will need a huge investment that might seem unethical to some people as many children throughout the world are starving. This sanctuary will be the first one in the United States. Experts have not decided yet which will be the location of the project, but it is expected to be built either in Florida or the Caribbean.
The new facility will have an enclosed, outdoor area much larger than the current place where the dolphins live. Thanks to this sanctuary, the animals will be able to live in a natural environment where they will be able to interact with plant life and other fish species and mammals.
It’s been four years since there were no dolphin performances in the National Aquarium in Baltimore. However, the eight specimens have lived there since 2012. Even if the costs have not been estimated yet, the facility will be finished by 2020.
According to Lori Marino, Whale Sanctuary Project President, this initiative will provide the future generations of dolphins a better life in safer and healthier conditions instead of a tank. Plus, they animals will be engaged in many swim programs and other projects that will be soon revealed to the public.
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