There’s nothing cute about a whale wearing lipstick, or keeping marine mammals in captivity
Jason Baker says those entertained by an amusement park employee in China putting lipstick on a beluga whale should understand that keeping marine mammals in captivity at all is harmful to their mental and physical well-being
Stupid stunts like this make it clear that these parks view the animals they hold captive as nothing more than props to exploit for money. Yet belugas are extremely intelligent and social beings. Some scientists even believe they may be the smartest animals on Earth. They convey information to their pod members through a language of chirps, clicks, whistles and squeals. They can also change the shape of their large, bulbous foreheads to make different facial expressions, which are believed to play a role in communication.
They're impressive athletes, too, diving as deep as 600 metres in search of food in their ocean homes. During spring and autumn migration, huge pods swim long distances together to and from Arctic waters.
Captivity simply can't come close to meeting the complex needs of cetaceans such as belugas, orcas, and other dolphins. In captivity, these animals often suffer from compromised immunity and display atypical behaviour patterns, including self-harm and aggression towards humans and each other, particularly if they're housed in incompatible groups, which they often are. Many destroy their teeth by chewing on the sides or steel divider bars of their tanks – one of the few ways they can pass the long, lonely hours.
In their natural homes, belugas may live for 60 years, but in captivity, they often die before they turn 30. A beluga at SeaWorld Orlando named Nanuq died after fracturing his jaw during an “interaction” with two other whales and later contracting an infection. Miki – a beluga who spent nearly his entire life in captivity, mainly at Chicago's Shedd Aquarium, and was forced to participate in the “North American beluga whale breeding consortium” – died after suffering from a prolonged illness. Dozens of other belugas have met early deaths in their bleak tanks.
It doesn't have to be this way. Sun Asia Ocean World and other parks across China that hold marine mammals captive can follow the lead of the US National Aquarium in Baltimore, which has announced plans to send the eight bottlenose dolphins held there to a sanctuary.
Jason Baker is PETA’s vice-president of international campaigns
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