Dolphin Dies at SeaWorld- Marks Fourth Death of Marine Mammal at Park ; “Enough is Enough.” – Born Free USA

“Enough is enough.” – Born Free USA CEO

Commerson Dolphins at SeaWorld

“Betsy,” a Commerson’s dolphin, has died at Orlando’s SeaWorld Aquatic Park.  Following the death of an 18-year-old orca, Una, at San Antonio’s SeaWorld in December, Betsy is the fourth marine mammal to die at SeaWorld since June.

Born Free USA reports that this tragic rate of demise is unacceptable and reinforces the conclusion that cruel captivity is completely unsuitable for marine mammals.

Commerson’s dolphins can swim at up to eight miles per hour in the wild. They are playful, known for leaping and spinning in the air which means they are highly active in the wild: something that cannot be replicated in a tank.

Their captivity leads to a frustrating experience when their natural needs to live in groups of two to one hundred dolphins communicating with whistles and clicks is hindered.  This captivity leads them to suffer from mental and physical anguish according to Born Free.

According to Adam M. Roberts, CEO of Born Free USA, “Betsy had only the briefest taste of freedom before she was captured from the wild at less than one year of age. She clung to life in a bleak concrete tank for decades, never again seeing the open ocean or her pod.  Instead, she was gawked at by visitors as she languished in a pool.

Roberts continued, “How much longer will SeaWorld pretend that it is contributing to wildlife conservation or meeting animal welfare needs by keeping these remarkably intelligent animals on display? The exploitative use of marine mammals is driven by greed, pure and simple. Enough is enough. It’s long past time for SeaWorld to yield to public sentiment and the welfare of these individual animals, and end marine mammal captivity for good.”

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