ArchiveXYZ: dolphins

domingo, 31 de maio de 2015

DANCING WITH THE DOLPHINS II

There’s nothing more beautiful than seeing the animals in their natural habitat. Zoos and aquariums allow us to see very closely many forms of wild life that probably we would never see otherwise. However, it’s impossible not to ask “Are they really this way? Do they really behave like this in the wild?” Naturally the answer, in 50% of the times, is no. Constant interaction with human beings and the artificial habitat naturally changes their natural behavior and probably also their emotions.

Anyone who loves animals and has coexisted very closely with several species knows this evidence. Animals have intelligence, emotions and feelings. And the artificial environment and interaction with humans really alters and shapes the identity of animals. With the exception of those species that were long ago domesticated by humankind, I would say that all the other animals feel unhappier, incomplete, restrained and “unnatural” in the human world than in their original home. That’s one of the reasons why I always found the action of returning an injured or imprisoned animal to their habitat very moving and a sign of respect and love for our brothers and sisters in Nature.

Dolphins are one of the few exceptions. The happiness that dolphins show when swimming freely in the ocean or the river is touching and overwhelming. But they are one of the rare species that naturally seek and enjoy human company. When they see a boat passing by, they follow and play around it in a kind of childish and free communication. That’s probably also one of the reasons why I never saw an unhappy dolphin in any pool or aquarium built by man. Though one may always ask “If they were allowed to return to their habitat, would they readapt and feel the original happiness in being just dolphins in the wild?”

That experience has been attempted several times. Some really readapt and find again their initial matrix. Others got so used to human company, communication and support that are only able to survive near human beings.

I don’t know if this is the case of the dolphins that live in the Zoomarines of this world, though I make myself this question several times when I’m watching them. What I see and know is that the dolphins that I usually see at Zoomarine (Guia-Albufeira, Algarve, Portugal) or at the Bay of Dolphins (Lisbon Zoo, just 15 minutes from my home) always seem happy and playful. They behave as friends of another kind that are there to share their exuberant joy of living. And I feel thankful because they are always there so near, happy to be there, without a single drop of rancor against the human beings that took them from their original home. The fact that we are all mammals may be a part of the explanation for this mysterious attachment, this natural and happy coexistence of two different species. Once, long ago, we all lived in the water… somewhere in the depth of our collective unconscious they are the closest ancestors that remain wild and near.

www.zoomarine.pt/index.php

Zoomarine, Guia-Albufeira, Algarve, Portugal, photography by SãoLudovino.

segunda-feira, 23 de setembro de 2013

DANCING WITH THE DOLPHINS

     In Portugal, dolphins can be seen in their natural habitat at Azores islands, at Sado’s mouth (Setúbal), at Algarve’s coast and in the last years also in Tejo’s mouth (Lisbon). At Azores and Sado there’s still some large communities of dolphins (bottlenose dolphins) but they had disappeared from Tejo since the 60s, due mainly to the increase of pollution in the waters that caused a decrease of the amount of fish in the river. In the last years the program of treatment of the residual waters thrown into the river had positive results. The amount of fish increased again and the dolphins returned to Tejo. Each adult dolphin needs 15-20 kg of fish every day and now they have enough food to survive in the river.
     In artificial habitats, they can be seen at the Lisbon Zoo (Bay of the Dolphins) and at the Zoomarine (Guia-Albufeira, Algarve). I saw them several times in both places. In both cases they seem very well treated, comfortable and happy. Last August, I went again to Zoomarine and saw two different shows with a group of seven dolphins. The joy of the animals and their trainers was obvious and touching. The dolphins really enjoy what they are doing, they like the contact with humans and react joyfully to the voices and applause of the public. They are especially tender with the children as if they knew that they are more sensitive and fragile.
    They play, they “run”, they fly, they dance… The music, either noisy or calm, and the rhythm of a cadenced sound like the applauses are very appealing to them. They are agile, energic, meticulous and elegant in their movements. They really follow a determined choreography. The affective interaction with their trainers is the most touching. There’s a full and reciprocal trust between trainers and dolphins… or it would be impossible to do what they both do, for many of those exercises / games / dances could be dangerous and result in serious injury in both. It’s reassuring and gratifying to see such joy and harmony.
     The most part of the dolphins were born in the Zoomarine and the healthy life they lead allows them to overpass the common longevity of a dolphin. The oldest dolphin is now more than 45, quite old for a dolphin.
     The Zoomarine also has a sanctuary for wild animals in danger, sick or injured. For example, they treat the dolphins captured accidently by the fishermen nets.
     At the Zoomarine there’s also an Aquarius with many different species, including sharks and rays. It’s incredible how raias are sociable and swim very swiftly. They swim close to the surface of the giant tank and it is possible to caress them. Their skin feels like wet velvet…
     There are other animals in the Zoomarine mainly birds, like parrots, macaws, flamingos, swans, ducks, turtles, etc. Close to the pool of the turtles there is a machine where one inserts a coin to obtain a certain amount of food to feed them. They are extremely attentive and smart. They look constantly in the direction of the machine and if someone picks a coin they all run in that direction even before one inserts the coin in the machine!
    There’s also a fairground with several attractions mainly to the children. The view from the top of the giant wheel is really beautiful and allows a general view of the whole of the team park which is quite big.
    Below is a selection of photographs taken in two different shows with the same group of seven dolphins and two videos made with photographs of both shows.

Zoomarine oficial site: http://www.zoomarine.pt/en
Zoomarine (internacional): http://www.zoomarine.com/