It seems others share our opinion! Thank-you to all of you who speak out and tell the truth about what is going on at the aquariums and marine parks around the world.
WE ARE THEIR ONLY HOPE!
AQUARIUM
Children needn’t see an animal to care about it
Thank you for running “Does the Georgia Aquarium’s dolphin show serve learning?” (Opinion, April 26). The argument that children only care about what they see is nonsense. Kids are fascinated by dinosaurs, but they have never laid eyes on one. Boys don’t need to see a “real life” soldier to fight sword “battles,” and nearly every girl loves wearing a tutu — even if she’s never been to the ballet.
Children learn through play and imagination. Their values are instilled by their parents and grandparents. Learning about how dolphins, orcas and fish really live in their ocean homes is a more meaningful lesson then watching them through tempered glass. The whole “educational” refrain has grown indefensible, given all that we know about how miserable marine animals are in captivity. The Georgia Aquarium, SeaWorld and similar facilities are about entertainment and profit. Parents take children to these parks because they are an “easy” outing — not to groom their children to become marine biologists.
It’s unimaginably arrogant for industry shills to suggest that aquariums can come close to replicating the fascinating, complex ocean world where these animals belong.
Anna J. Ware, Atlanta
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