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The Institute for Marine Mammal Studies in Gulfport has been named by an animal protection group as one of the worst facilities for dolphins in North America.
(IMMS photo)
GULFPORT, Mississippi -- An animal protection group has named the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies in Gulfport one of the worst in North America for dolphins or whales, calling it a "dolphin prison seeking to go mega in Mississippi."
International animal protection group In Defense of Animals released its annual report on the Ten Worst Tanks for Dolphins and Whales in North America on Wednesday. The IMMS was listed at #7.
The study examined various factors in compiling the list:
- Health and welfare problems
- High mortality and premature deaths
- Frequent interactions with the public
- Unsuitable/unsafe enclosure attributes such as lack of space, shade or unhealthy water
- Exhibition of particularly unnatural and stress-related behaviors
- Social issues, especially solitary confinement and premature removal of babies from their mothers
- Unnecessary transfers and relocation
- Invasive breeding procedures
- Unprofessional management
- Questionable claims of educational or scientific value
- Enclosed facilities with little or no sunlight
Cetacean experts and scientists worked with In Defense of Animals for over a year to create the Ten Worst Tanks list. Facilities were assessed in-person, through review of government and veterinary records and death reports, and via image and data documentation.
A report from In Defense of Animals accuses the IMMS of keeping dolphins captive for use as "circus-style performers."
"The Institute for Marine Mammal Studies is a dolphin prison seeking to go mega in Mississippi," said Dr. Marilyn Kroplick, President of In Defense of Animals. "It plubs the depths in exploitation of intelligent and sensitive animals.
"Even with the most modern technology, veterinary care and infrastructure, cetaceans still suffer intensely in captivity and exhibit 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 study also singled out IMMS director Dr. Moby Solangi.
"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 inadequate care for cetaceans," the report reads.
A voicemail message left at the main IMMS phone number seeking comment from Solangi midday Wednesday had not been returned 24 hours later.
The study accuses the IMMS of coercing dolphins to perform "mundane, unnatural tricks for the public, such as painting and posing for photo-ops," as well as a fee-based program in which the public can swim with dolphins.
"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."
According to the report, when Solangi was president of Marine Life in Gulfport, he opted to leave eight of the facilities 17 dolphins in their tanks to ride out Hurricane Katrina, which leveled the entire facility.
The eight dolphins left behind were washed out into the Gulf of Mexico and survived, but were later captured and sent to a facility in the Bahamas.
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