Marine Connection is very disappointed to learn that a social solitary female bottlenose dolphin that had been frequenting waters off Texas for some years is to remain in captivity for the remainder of her life. Nicknamed Izzy, the dolphin was initially taken into Texas State Aquarium at the end of June having suffered injuries and in poor body condition. After almost a month of intensive care at the Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network, Izzy was moved to a deeper, larger pool at SeaWorld San Antonio where she continues to receive treatment. She will remain there until NOAA, who has determined that it is not in Izzy’s best interest to be released back into the wild, identifies a permanent facility for her outside of SeaWorld.
Izzy lived in a series of canals off North Padre Island, Texas from a young age however for two years prior to her rescue, her habituation to people and boats increased, despite an educational programme being put in place discouraging the public from swimming or interacting with the dolphin, many ignored the guidelines and continued to directly interact and seek out the animal. Had the advice given been followed and respected, the dolphin may have lived safely in the wild for many years to come, and her story could have been very different. This should be a lesson to everyone who wants dolphins to stay wild – Izzy’s forever home should not be confined to a tank.
Liz Sandeman who leads Marine Connection’s solitary cetacean work comments “I am extremely disheartened to learn that this dolphin is to remain in confinement. Human interaction is to blame for her fate, as those that ignored advice to keep their distance from Izzy have played a part in this decision and her future, as if released, the behaviour of the public would not change, jeopardizing Izzy’s survival in the wild. Sadly, the more dolphins like Izzy become habituated through prolonged human contact and behaviours like this develop, the greater the potential for accidents and injury to the dolphin. We cannot stress too highly the importance of giving solitary dolphins their space and respect for the wild animals they are.”
