DO MARINE MAMMALS GET STRESSED?
Wild animals live daily with many challenges to their survival. Predators, hunger, noise, parasites, and environmental pollution are just a few of the challenges animals in the wild must contend with every day. Animals in Alliance member facilities live without the stress of these considerable daily challenges. The U.S. government reports that it “is unaware of any valid scientific research or other information that documents or supports that [shows or] performances…cause additional unnecessary stress for the animals.” Additionally, a recent scientific study of steroid hormones produced by the adrenal cortex, a common measure of stress in animals, demonstrates that stress is not an issue in marine mammals in in-water interactive programs. This Dolphin Quest/Sea World study was submitted to the U.S. government in September of 2000 and provides clear evidence that the animals are in a healthy environment. The results of behavioral and medical evaluations of animals in public display fa
