Institute of Marine Mammal Studies Shamed as #7 Worst Aquarium

10 Worst Tanks List for Dolphins and Whales Announced

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CONTACT: Toni Frohoff, Ph.D., toni@idausa.org, (805) 836-0496

Gulfport, Mississippi (July 20, 2016) – International animal protection organization, In Defense of Animals, today released its list of the Ten Worst Tanks for Dolphins and Whales in North America, with the #7 spot shaming the Institute of Marine Mammal Studies as a “dolphin prison seeking to go mega in Mississippi”.

The Ten Worst Tanks list exposes and represents the misery and suffering of the oceans’ most intelligent and complex mammals in captivity. Whales and dolphins are subject to astonishing rates of premature death, captivity-related injuries, forced removal of babies from mothers, and solitary isolation. Many are confined to swimming endless circles in cramped tanks, deprived of healthy social groups, and forced to endure invasive reproduction techniques, polluted water, dangerous transport, and brutal exploitation of their sociable natures through “swim” and “petting” programs.

The list was selected from over 60 facilities from southern Canada to Mexico where almost 1,000 whales and dolphins are held captive for public display.

“The Institute of Marine Mammal Studies is a dolphin prison seeking to go mega in Mississippi; it plumbs the depths in exploitation of intelligent and sensitive animals,” said In Defense of Animals President, Dr. Marilyn Kroplick. “Even with the most modern technology, veterinary care, and infrastructure, cetaceans still suffer intensely in captivity and exhibit surprisingly high mortality rates. Please help protect dolphins and whales in the wild where they belong, by pledging to never visit facilities that imprison them.”

The Institute of Marine Mammal Studies’ Shame

The city of Gulfport, Mississippi is considering not one but two cetacean captivity proposals; one is for new construction which would be called the Mississippi Aquarium, and the other for an expansion of an existing facility, the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies that currently displays three bottlenose dolphins. The Institute and the man who runs it, Moby Solangi, Ph.D., have been the subject of extensive public criticism from professionals both within the captive cetacean industry, as well as those who oppose it, due to alleged accounts of inadequate care for cetaceans.

Although the facility’s name implies an emphasis on scientific research and education, the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies coerces dolphins to perform mundane, unnatural tricks for the public, such as painting and posing for photo-ops. It also also offers contrived swim-with-the-dolphins programs for an extra fee. The dolphins seem to serve far more as circus-style performers than as subjects of research that could directly contribute to the conservation of cetaceans in the wild.

Solangi caused waves in 2005 when he was President of Marine Life Oceanarium in Gulfport, which held 17 dolphins at the time. When Hurricane Katrina hit, Solangi decided to leave 8 of the dolphins at the facility to endure the full force of Hurricane Katrina, which ended up destroying the facility. Those left behind were washed away and surprisingly survived – but were later recaptured and all were sent together to a facility in the Bahamas.

This facility is also on the list because, although it is called an “Institute”, it represents less of a research facility and more of a commercialized, circus-like dolphin prison with little chance of parole for the dolphins.

10 WORST TANKS:

1. SeaWorld, San Antonio, Texas; San Diego, California; Orlando, Florida
2. Marineland, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada
3. Puerto Aventuras Dolphin Discovery, Mayan Riviera, Quinta Roo, Mexico
4. Georgia Aquarium, Atlanta, Georgia
5. Miami Seaquarium, Miami, Florida
6. Six Flags Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico
7. Institute for Marine Mammal Studies, Gulfport, Mississippi and Unnamed new facility planned by same owner also in Gulfport, Mississippi
8. Mirage Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada
9. Vancouver Aquarium, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
10. Shedd Aquarium, Chicago, Illinois

Dishonorable Mention:
Dophinaris, Scottsdale, Arizona

Honorable Mention:
National Aquarium, Baltimore, Maryland

### NOTES ###

The Ten Worst Tanks list was produced over the past year by multiple cetacean experts and scientists to represent the myriad horrors faced by cetaceans in captivity. Facilities were examined and investigated in-person; through review of government records, veterinary records, and death reports; and via image and data documentation.

In Defense of Animals also produces the respected Ten Worst Zoos for Elephants List, now in its twelfth year: http://www.idausa.org/2015tenworstzoos

For more information please visit: www.idausa.org/10WorstTanks

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In Defense of Animals is an international animal protection organization located in San Rafael, Calif. dedicated to protecting animals’ rights, welfare, and habitats through education, outreach, and our hands-on rescue facilities in India, Africa, and rural Mississippi.

IN DEFENSE OF ANIMALS • 3010 KERNER BLVD. • SAN RAFAEL, CA 94901 • 415-448-0048