14 DAY TRIAL // Thanks to Flipper, most people regard dolphins as highly intelligent animals. India has recently decided that these marine mammals are much more than that: they are non-human persons and need be treated accordingly.
Working on these assumptions, the country has imposed a ban on captive dolphin shows, meaning that marine wildlife parks and other such facilities will no longer be allowed to make these animals perform various tricks in order to entertain the crowds.
According to Tree Hugger, the statement issued by the country's Ministry of the Environment and Forests in order to explain its decision to ban such shows reads as follows:
“Whereas cetaceans in general are highly intelligent and sensitive, and various scientists who have researched dolphin behavior have suggested that the unusually high intelligence; as compared to other animals means that dolphin should be seen as ‘non-human persons’ and as such should have their own specific rights and is morally unacceptable to keep them captive for entertainment purpose.”
Presently, dolphin shows are banned in three other countries in the world: Costa Rica, Hungary and Chile.
However, the practice of using these marine mammals for entertainment purposes is worryingly common both in the United States and in several European countries.
As was to be expected, animal rights activists welcomed India's decision, and are now hoping that marine parks that still look at dolphins as a source of income will soon agree to follow in this country's footsteps.
Commenting on this ban, Ric O’Barry of the Earth Island Institute’s Dolphin Project stated that, “This is a huge win for dolphins.”
“Not only has the Indian government spoken out against cruelty, they have contributed to an emerging and vital dialogue about the ways we think about dolphins – as thinking, feeling beings rather than pieces of property to make money off of,” Ric O'Barry went on to say.