Have you ever wondered if you can legally own a dolphin as a pet? With their intelligence and friendly nature, dolphins may seem like they would make for a fun and unique pet. However, owing a dolphin comes with many legal and ethical considerations that need to be taken into account.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: owning a dolphin is illegal in most parts of the world, including the United States, due to laws like the Marine Mammal Protection Act that protect wild marine mammals.
In this comprehensive article, we will dive deeper into the legalities surrounding dolphin ownership, reasons why regulations exist, considerations around captivity and animal welfare, as well as overview if there are any exceptions that allow private dolphin ownership.
Laws Prohibiting Dolphin Ownership
Marine Mammal Protection Act in the United States
The primary law regulating dolphin ownership in the United States is the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). Enacted in 1972, the MMPA makes it illegal for any person or organization to “harass, hunt, capture, or kill” marine mammals like dolphins without a permit.
It also bans the import and export of marine mammals and products made from them.
So under the MMPA, owning a dolphin as a pet or for personal use is prohibited. The only exception is for educational or scientific research purposes, but even then strict permitting requirements must be met. Permits are tightly controlled by the National Marine Fisheries Service.
There have been a few cases of people attempting to keep dolphins captive without a permit. For example, in 1989 a Mississippi man purchased a dolphin and kept it in an above-ground swimming pool. He was fined $5000 and forced to release the dolphin back into the wild.
So while dolphins are incredibly smart and friendly creatures that seem like they could make great pets, the MMPA makes it crystal clear that owning them is illegal without the proper permitting.
Cetacean Captivity Regulations in Other Countries
Many other countries around the world also have bans or strict regulations when it comes to owning cetaceans like dolphins and whales. For example:
- In Mexico, a blanket ban on cetacean captivity was passed in 2021. All dolphins and whales used in entertainment and interactive programs must be retired and released if possible.
- Canada recently passed the Ending the Captivity of Whales and Dolphins Act, which makes it illegal to capture, breed, or keep new cetaceans in captivity. Several marine parks will be phased out over the next decade.
- The United Kingdom does not allow dolphins to be taken from the wild for captivity purposes. Only captive-bred animals or rescues can be owned under a license.
- In India, keeping cetaceans in captivity was banned back in 2013. The move came after years of controversy around dolphin park facilities.
So while a few organizations around the world still keep whales and dolphins for public display and entertainment, regulations are tightening up. There is increasing evidence and recognition that highly intelligent and social marine mammals do not thrive in captivity environments.
Many experts consider it unethical and tantamount to animal cruelty in some cases.
The message is clear around the world: dolphins are not pets, no matter how cute and smart they may be. They belong in the open ocean with their pods and families. The exceptions made for rescue, conservation, research, and education purposes are strongly regulated.
Animal Welfare Concerns of Keeping Dolphins Captive
Complex Social and Physical Needs
Dolphins are highly intelligent and social animals that roam expansive habitats in the wild. When kept in captivity, their complex physical and psychological needs are difficult to meet.
Dolphins live in large, fluid social groups and can swim up to 40 miles per day in the ocean. In captivity, they are confined to small, static groups in limited enclosures. This denies them the ability to make choices about social bonds, group dynamics, and environment.
Captive dolphins exhibit more abnormal repetitive behaviors called stereotypies, such as swimming in circles or grinding their teeth, indicating psychological distress. They also show more self-inflicted injury from stress.
While aquariums provide veterinary care, captivity makes dolphins more vulnerable to disease and infection due to close proximity. Captive dolphins have significantly lower life expectancy than wild counterparts.
Impacts of Captivity on Dolphin Health and Behavior
Confinement in captivity has profound effects on dolphin health and natural behavior. Dolphins at aquariums can experience chronic stress, aggression, reproductive problems, and suppression of natural instincts.
Regular public interaction and noise at aquariums disrupts natural behavior patterns. Dolphins alter their vocalizations to compensate and some become desensitized to acoustic cues.
Small enclosures and lack of environmental complexity lead to apathy and difficulty coping. Trained behaviors replace natural hunting and foraging. This deprives them of autonomy and mental stimulation.
While breeding programs aim to be educational, the forced separations, transfers, and artificial inseminations required can be traumatic to these sensitive social creatures.
Aggression increases in captive dolphins restricted from natural groupings. Injuries commonly result as dominant dolphins assert themselves in confined spaces.
Providing a suitable life for captive dolphins requires expansive, stimulating enclosures with appropriate social groupings. Even then, confinement inherently restricts their ability to thrive.
Exceptions for Legal Dolphin Ownership
While owning a dolphin is illegal in most parts of the world, there are a few exceptions where private dolphin ownership is allowed. Here are some of the main scenarios where an individual can legally own a dolphin:
Research and Education
Marine mammals like dolphins are sometimes allowed to be kept in captivity for legitimate scientific research and educational purposes. Aquariums, universities, and research facilities may be granted permits to house dolphins if they can demonstrate that their work provides valuable insights that benefit the species.
However, the bar for proving this is set high, and regulations around proper housing, care, and training apply.
Rehabilitation and Release
In some cases, an injured or sick dolphin that strands or washes ashore may be taken in by a wildlife rehabilitation organization or volunteer. Once nursed back to health, the goal is to release the dolphin back into the wild if possible.
However, rehabilitation can be a long process – upwards of a year or more. During this temporary custody, the dolphin remains the property of the federal government, but the caregiver assumes temporary stewardship until the animal can be released.
Native American Practices
Some Native American tribes have exemptions that allow them to continue traditional practices of hunting and catching marine mammals like dolphins and whales. However, this is usually limited to small numbers taken seasonally for subsistence purposes.
The meats and other parts may also be used ceremonially. Today, few tribes still carry out these traditions, and they face increasing scrutiny and regulations even under legal tribal hunting rights.
Grandfathered Collections
In a few rare cases, facilities and individuals who owned dolphins prior to the passage of the Marine Mammal Protection Act in 1972 were allowed to keep their animals. However, they could not acquire any new dolphins after the law went into effect.
Over time, even these grandfathered collections have dwindled as the captive dolphins age and pass away.
Illegal Ownership
Unfortunately, there are instances where individuals still illegally capture wild dolphins and keep them in home aquariums. This black market trade still exists in some parts of the world. However, it often involves great cruelty and many illegally owned dolphins die quickly due to improper care and housing.
Law enforcement efforts to crack down on this practice continue around the globe.
Other Considerations Around Interacting with Dolphins
Swim-With Dolphin Programs
Swimming with dolphins has become a popular tourist activity in recent years. Many resorts and theme parks offer dolphin encounter programs that allow people to swim and interact with captive dolphins. However, there are important considerations when participating in these programs.
First, swim-with dolphin programs have raised animal welfare concerns. Dolphins are highly intelligent and social animals that may suffer when kept in captivity. Small tanks prevent them from swimming long distances as they would in the wild.
Interacting with humans all day long is unnatural for wild dolphins.
Furthermore, dolphins at swim-with attractions are often trained using food deprivation and other controversial methods. Well-meaning visitors may unknowingly support this industry of captive dolphin programs that are problematic for animal welfare.
There are a few reputable research facilities that allow dolphin encounters while also promoting conservation and education. However, the vast majority of swim-with dolphin programs are operated at commercial theme parks and resorts.
Participants should do their research to ensure any facility they visit meets high standards of animal care and has the dolphins’ best interests in mind.
Volunteering at Reputable Facilities
For those who wish to interact positively with dolphins, volunteering with reputable wildlife organizations may be a good option. Some nonprofit groups rescue sick, injured, or stranded dolphins and provide temporary rehabilitation before releasing them back into the wild.
Volunteers at these facilities get to work closely with the animals under expert supervision while also supporting the organizations’ conservation missions. The dolphins benefit from the extra care and stimulation from volunteers who are educated on proper interaction protocols.
Groups like the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society and the International Marine Mammal Project only accept volunteers who make long-term commitments. This ensures the dolphins are not stressed by a constant rotation of new people.
It also allows volunteers to build meaningful relationships with the animals over time.
Those looking for a hands-on dolphin experience may find volunteer positions at reputable facilities like these more enriching than typical tourist swim-with programs. Plus, they get to be part of important conservation and education work helping injured wild dolphins recover and return to their natural habitats.
Conclusion
In summary, it is illegal in most parts of the world for private individuals to own a dolphin due to laws aimed at protecting wildlife and animal welfare. While exceptions exist in some regions, owning a dolphin requires specialized knowledge, facilities and licensing to properly care for these highly intelligent and social animals.
For those seeking to interact with dolphins, reputable swim-with programs or volunteering opportunities may provide ethical alternatives while supporting conservation efforts.
