Jiji, a bottlenose dolphin held at Oita Marine Palace Aquarium in Umitamago, Japan has for the second time, undergone a CT scan to ascertain the cause of swelling in her tailstock area.
Veterinarian Makio Yanagisawa stated in a recent article that the scan had detected lesions in the dolphin’s spine, a disorder resulting from infection by the zoonosis Brucella. Although the dolphin has been treated with antibiotics for this and her condition has not worsened, we question why it was necessary to subject Jiji to the added stress of a 4-hour truck journey to have this scan conducted, especially when there are portable CT scans available some of which have been manufactured in Japan. Even if the cost is prohibitive, surely another, less stressful option for the dolphin could have been found.
It is clear from the video and images that apart from the medical staff, no other handlers/staff including Mr Yanagisawa, are wearing any protecting clothing, masks or gloves whilst handling Jiji. Given that Brucella is a highly contagious bacteria which can be transmitted from animal to human, with recent experience in the danger of airborne viruses globally, we have to question the wisdom of this decision for the welfare of Jiji and those handling her during her transport and examination.
It is interesting to note a comment in this article by Satoshi Morosaka from Kanagawa University regarding the possibility of Japan’s credibility diminishing due to their perception that dolphins are there for public entertainment – it seems that indeed not all in Japan are in favour of keeping cetaceans captive.
