Posted on 05/22/2013 1:44:36 PM PDT by presidio9
In a wonderful move for wildlife, India has become the fourth country (along with Costa Rica, Hungary and Chile) to ban captive dolphin and orca shows, a la those featured at “parks” such as Sea World.
India has declared that cetaceans’ high level of intelligence grants them the status of “non-human persons,” which elevates the animals’ rights. The new law partly stems from the fact that cetaceans do not historically fare well in captivity.
India’s Ministry of the Environment and Forests stated in the ban, “Confinement in captivity can seriously compromise the welfare and survival of all types of cetaceans by altering their behaviour and causing extreme distress.”
According to Treehugger, the statement also bans ”any person / persons, organizations, government agencies, private or public enterprises that involves import, capture of cetacean species to establish for commercial entertainment, private or public exhibition and interaction purposes whatsoever.”
The statement continues, “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.”
Sadly, such measures have failed in the United States and European countries where cetacean performances are still considered big business. Until dolphins and whales receive some measure of constitutional rights (an effort that has thus far failed), it seems that they will continue to be held in captivity and forced into performances.
However, Ric O’Barry, a former dolphin trainer who is now director of the Earth Island Institute’s Dolphin Project, hopes that India’s bold move will pave the way for dolphins and whales across the world.
“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,” he said.
But the Caste system is okay.
I have a miniature poodle that’s real smart. Probably smarter than a dolphin. Is she being discriminated against by not being considered a non-human person? I think so. Any lawyers out there want to get your name in the kook media?
Indian dolphins will be managing motels any day now!
I believe that India has classified cows as “non-human persons” for years. I classify them as “tasty animals” and plan on grilling yet another piece of one this weekend.
Let me guess...last name Patel?
If "persons", will the PETA types now make sure vets don't abort Dolphin fetuses?
So Long and Thanks for All the Fish.
There might be something to this. As far as I know, no dolphin voted for Obama, except of course in Chicago. Clearly they are smarter than a lot of people.
Animals are not persons. Persons have obligations. No one has yet figured out how to make dolphins pay taxes, register for the draft, refrain from smoking in bars, etc.
Dolphins are more intelligent than 50% of the idiots we call “people” today.
Yeah, like India does not have a few more things to worry about. Filthy country dumping contaminated drugs on the market and royally screwing up the customer service industry.
“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,” he said.”
Take time to view the article below.
http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2012/November/California-Church-Stands-Up-for-Indias-Untouchables/
If they are deemed non-human persons with rights, its time for them to pay their “fair share” of the tax burden. Tax the s___t out of them like everyone else.
“Indian dolphins will be managing motels any day now!”
and 7-11’s
If you believe in reincarnation then they are people
Cool, now I can move to India and get that dolphinoplasty and be safe from marine biologists and Japanese fishermen!
Cetaceans, dogs and Polar Bears are more human than 100% of registered Democrats and 700% more intelligent than Obama.
Darn, I guess the summer trip with the kiddies to Sea World Hyderabad is off...
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