Dolphin Swim
Apr 5th, 2005, 01:18 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Dolphin Swim
A friend and I signed up for a Dolphin Swim in Nassau. I do not know what to expect. Do we wear our bathing suits there do we change in the suits there. Help I am in a quandry. What does the Dolphin dip entail? Thanks a lot for your help.
Apr 5th, 2005, 01:49 PM
#2
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 675
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
jeannebeanne, I hate to spoil your fun but read the following thread from a post titled "Swimming with dolphins" - I tried to top it for you but the link is gone to post a reply - anyway, if you do a search you will find lots of info. on why you should not support this activity. Please read and then you will know more of what to expect.
Author: Diana
Date: 02/25/2004, 10:12 am
I would ask you to please reconsider the dolphin swim. They are incredibly cruel. I did it once and was sorry ever since. No matter how clean or nice it looks, more than half of the dolphins die within 60 to 90 days of capture.
In order to make an informed decision, please visit:
http://dolphinproject.org/
http://www.hsus.org/ace/11727
(The second site is the Humane Society of the United States' position on SWTD programs.)
Author: Diana
Date: 02/25/2004, 10:12 am
I would ask you to please reconsider the dolphin swim. They are incredibly cruel. I did it once and was sorry ever since. No matter how clean or nice it looks, more than half of the dolphins die within 60 to 90 days of capture.
In order to make an informed decision, please visit:
http://dolphinproject.org/
http://www.hsus.org/ace/11727
(The second site is the Humane Society of the United States' position on SWTD programs.)
Apr 5th, 2005, 02:44 PM
#3
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,658
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks starfish! 
What to expect is not what it seems like the ads make it out to be - fun for you and the dolphins...
Please think about getting a refund and finding another activity.
If anyone can answer any questions about why people should not be doing this, please let me know.
(The links starfish provided give a lot of great information!)
What to expect is not what it seems like the ads make it out to be - fun for you and the dolphins...
Please think about getting a refund and finding another activity.
If anyone can answer any questions about why people should not be doing this, please let me know.
(The links starfish provided give a lot of great information!)
Apr 5th, 2005, 04:01 PM
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I did not know how awful this is. I most certainly do not want to sponsor anything so dreadfully harmful. I am going to speak to my friend about cancelling this activity. Thank you for your input.
Apr 6th, 2005, 04:11 AM
#6
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 675
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
jeannebeanne, you made my day too! And thanks to Diana for helping to make more of us aware of this shameful practice. I also was unaware until reading some of these posts so am now hopeful that if we keep passing the info. along, some of these operators might engage in something less harmful. I wish you a wonderful trip!
And thanks to Diana for helping to make more of us aware of this shameful practice. I also was unaware until reading some of these posts so am now hopeful that if we keep passing the info. along, some of these operators might engage in something less harmful. I wish you a wonderful trip!
Apr 6th, 2005, 05:25 AM
#7
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 241
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I cancelled a dolphin swim in Jamaica after doing some research. The only way to stop dolphin trapping to supply these outfits is for people to stop patronizing them. Capturing dolphins for aquariums is so lucrative for the Japanese that it funds the "drive kills" where thousands of dolphins are slaughtered. I applaud your decision.
Apr 6th, 2005, 09:01 AM
#8
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 4,296
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well done jeannebeanne!
Now every time you see a rookie post something about SWTD, you'll just shake you head, think to yourself "poor sap" he doesn't know what he's getting himself into.
And a big thanks to Starfish and Diana for not blazing her, but rather providing her with useful information in which to make an informed decision.
I loathe the dolphin swimmer organizations, but I always feel for the "poor saps" that have no idea what they just posted. Don't cha?
Now every time you see a rookie post something about SWTD, you'll just shake you head, think to yourself "poor sap" he doesn't know what he's getting himself into.
And a big thanks to Starfish and Diana for not blazing her, but rather providing her with useful information in which to make an informed decision.
I loathe the dolphin swimmer organizations, but I always feel for the "poor saps" that have no idea what they just posted. Don't cha?
Apr 6th, 2005, 04:40 PM
#9
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,300
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Before you condemn all dolphin encounters you should expand your research. It is true that some do abuse and neglect the animals, but not all. A good example is UNEXO in Freeport, Grand Bahama. Their dolphin experience is well done and extremely humane. All dolphins are free to go (return to the open sea) at any time, and all of them are escorted to the sea daily for exercise. It is a testament to the operation that the dolphins return to the faciltiy on their own accord.
So, yes choose carefully, but if you would like to experience one of these wonderful creatures up close and personal, by all means pay a visit to UNEXCO.
So, yes choose carefully, but if you would like to experience one of these wonderful creatures up close and personal, by all means pay a visit to UNEXCO.
Apr 7th, 2005, 03:41 AM
#10
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,658
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Curt,
It is coincidentally the UNEXSO dolphin dive that I did that completely turned me off to these types of programs.
I waited for years to do an encounter because I just did not feel quite right about doing it - my conscience was bothering me.
Sooo, before a trip to the Bahamas, I called them about their open ocean dolphin dive and asked them if the dolphins in their program were captive.
They told me they have places for them to stay, but because the dives take place in the open ocean, "they are free to leave if they want to."
Ha. That is NOT true and what they DON'T tell you is that the dolphins have lost their ability to hunt in the wild by being taken captive and fed by humans. No, they can't leave, and they are kept in tiny pens in brackish water and fed frozen fish.
And for anyone who thinks UNEXSO is keeping dolphins out of the goodness of their hearts for educational purposes, keep in mind that a SINGLE dolphin can generate over $100,000 in revenue per year being forced to perform in order to survive.
Curt, they are not "escorted" daily to the open ocean for exercise purposes. They are forced out there to perform for the idiots like me who paid some exhorbitant price to watch a very hungry animal act like a clown in order to eat. Did you not notice the single-minded focus on the FOOD?
No matter how these places push their pathetic trade, and make them look so nice and clean, it's still the same old dirty "money makes the world go 'round" story.
It is coincidentally the UNEXSO dolphin dive that I did that completely turned me off to these types of programs.
I waited for years to do an encounter because I just did not feel quite right about doing it - my conscience was bothering me.
Sooo, before a trip to the Bahamas, I called them about their open ocean dolphin dive and asked them if the dolphins in their program were captive.
They told me they have places for them to stay, but because the dives take place in the open ocean, "they are free to leave if they want to."
Ha. That is NOT true and what they DON'T tell you is that the dolphins have lost their ability to hunt in the wild by being taken captive and fed by humans. No, they can't leave, and they are kept in tiny pens in brackish water and fed frozen fish.
And for anyone who thinks UNEXSO is keeping dolphins out of the goodness of their hearts for educational purposes, keep in mind that a SINGLE dolphin can generate over $100,000 in revenue per year being forced to perform in order to survive.
Curt, they are not "escorted" daily to the open ocean for exercise purposes. They are forced out there to perform for the idiots like me who paid some exhorbitant price to watch a very hungry animal act like a clown in order to eat. Did you not notice the single-minded focus on the FOOD?
No matter how these places push their pathetic trade, and make them look so nice and clean, it's still the same old dirty "money makes the world go 'round" story.
Apr 7th, 2005, 03:51 AM
#11
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 250
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi jeannebeanne! Just a tip if you love dolphins. I took my 2 children to the Hyatt Bonita Springs in Florida last week and every day we were swimming about 10 feet off-shore of their island beach. About 10-15 dolphins would just come all around us and they would stay with the kids especially, for up to an hour. It was truly thrilling and people were so respectful of these beautiful animals. What a fantastic way to experience the dolphins. I'm not sure if there are other well known areas where dolphins come so close to shore. I can tell you that no one was feeding the dolphins and there were no excursion boats nearby. I'm no dolphin expert but they seemed to especially like to come very close to the children. Have fun on your holiday. Threehearts
Apr 7th, 2005, 05:21 AM
#13
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,300
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Diana, sorry but you are SO WRONG about UNEXCO, so wrong. I appreciate your concern about the mistreatment of dolphins, but I repeat you ARE WRONG about UNEXCO. I personally observed the dolphins being taken out to the open sea (not to be swam with but to exercise). The "pens" you refer are NOT filled with brackish water. They are clean, clear, and fed by the inlet from the ocean.
I think your enthusima to prevent any and all encounters with dolphins it blinding you to the fact that there are some good, well operated, humane dolphin encounters and UNEXCO is one of them.
I think your enthusima to prevent any and all encounters with dolphins it blinding you to the fact that there are some good, well operated, humane dolphin encounters and UNEXCO is one of them.
Apr 7th, 2005, 05:37 AM
#14
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,658
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Curt,
I respect your right to express your opinion, and you need to respect my right to express mine.
I was THERE, and what I have written is how I feel about the situation.
You wrote: The "pens" you refer are NOT filled with brackish water. They are clean, clear, and fed by the inlet from the ocean"
The definition of brackish is "containing a mixture of salt and fresh water."
I'm sorry, but I TOTALLY disagree with you that there are any "humane" SWTD programs. Every single one of them is profit-driven. Every single one of them interferes with the natural foods, behaviors and habitats of these animals, and every single one of them should be closed down.
I can assure you that I have spent many, many hours researching this topic.
Until you have done the same, I don't feel you are qualified to make the blanket statement that "there are some good, well operated, humane dolphin encounters."
imho, that statement is inaccurate and 'humane' and 'dolphin encounters' should never occupy the same sentence.
I respect your right to express your opinion, and you need to respect my right to express mine.
I was THERE, and what I have written is how I feel about the situation.
You wrote: The "pens" you refer are NOT filled with brackish water. They are clean, clear, and fed by the inlet from the ocean"
The definition of brackish is "containing a mixture of salt and fresh water."
I'm sorry, but I TOTALLY disagree with you that there are any "humane" SWTD programs. Every single one of them is profit-driven. Every single one of them interferes with the natural foods, behaviors and habitats of these animals, and every single one of them should be closed down.
I can assure you that I have spent many, many hours researching this topic.
Until you have done the same, I don't feel you are qualified to make the blanket statement that "there are some good, well operated, humane dolphin encounters."
imho, that statement is inaccurate and 'humane' and 'dolphin encounters' should never occupy the same sentence.
Apr 7th, 2005, 08:29 AM
#16
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,268
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Interestingly, quite a few people are injured in SWTD programs (I know one whose ankle was broken in JA), but there has never been a report of a wild dolphin harming a swimmer.
Hmm.
We've seen dolphins close up in Jamaica on the south coast. Going by boat from Treasure Beach to Black River there is a cove they seem to like and we always cut the engine of our boat there.
Within minutes, they come right up to us (we don't feed them). Last time we had 4 children in the boat and these dolphins, like 12-20 of them, came under and right along our boat, close enough for the children to touch. I think they knew they were there. They swim alongside, jump, play and do their thing all around us for 20 minutes or so then I guess they get bored (we sure don't) and move on.
We have not jumped in the water with them (boat has no ladder, not sure how that would work!) but I have read that some have, and the dolphins either stick around to play or not, their choice.
I too would never patronize any SWTD program that involves captive dolphins. Having it be their choice to interact is magical....captive dolphins just make me sad. On my vacation I'll take magic over sad any day
Hmm.
We've seen dolphins close up in Jamaica on the south coast. Going by boat from Treasure Beach to Black River there is a cove they seem to like and we always cut the engine of our boat there.
Within minutes, they come right up to us (we don't feed them). Last time we had 4 children in the boat and these dolphins, like 12-20 of them, came under and right along our boat, close enough for the children to touch. I think they knew they were there. They swim alongside, jump, play and do their thing all around us for 20 minutes or so then I guess they get bored (we sure don't) and move on.
We have not jumped in the water with them (boat has no ladder, not sure how that would work!) but I have read that some have, and the dolphins either stick around to play or not, their choice.
I too would never patronize any SWTD program that involves captive dolphins. Having it be their choice to interact is magical....captive dolphins just make me sad. On my vacation I'll take magic over sad any day
Apr 7th, 2005, 08:58 AM
#17
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I wholeheartedly agree with Liza - having natural interaction with sea creatures beats anything "organized" handsdown. While diving in Cayman Brac were were lucky enough to be paid a visit by "Spot" - a wild dolphin who swims between Cayman Brac and Little Cayman. He came up to the dive boat and hung out with the divers for about an hour - like an aquatic labrador - and then he left. We felt truly honored to have that experience. I strongly disagree with 'organized' encounters that really do nothing but curtail an animal's lifelong freedom for our curiosity and 10 mins of fun.
Apr 7th, 2005, 12:06 PM
#18
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 534
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We've gone down this road many times and there does not seen to be a reasonable middle-ground.
I asked about zoos and I believe most folks were (relatively) okay with them. Personally, how one could watch a cheetah in a cage or a mountain goat in a cage is beyond me.
Why the passion for dolphins but not for other animals? Is it because they are cute or some other reason?
M
I asked about zoos and I believe most folks were (relatively) okay with them. Personally, how one could watch a cheetah in a cage or a mountain goat in a cage is beyond me.
Why the passion for dolphins but not for other animals? Is it because they are cute or some other reason?
M
