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Original poster

To not get swimming with dolphins

92 replies

allthegoodnameshadgone · 15/02/2018 20:03

I just don't see the attraction. Sea lions sound more fun.

Change my mind for me and tell me your lovely experiences swimming with dolphins.

(We are thinking about going to Florida).

OP posts:
Firesuit · 15/02/2018 21:42

Since no-one else seems to have watched it, I'll just mention that the video posted at 20:32:44 is hilarious.

classicchristmas · 15/02/2018 21:43

Heartofsass I have to totally defend the OP here, she has come on with possibly a misguided post and has seen what everyone on here has had to say about captive dolphins immediately and is doing some of her own research and reading now. You cannot say fairer than that.

athingthateveryoneneeds · 15/02/2018 21:43

Not for me. I agree with the ethical concerns .

WhatToDoAboutThis2017 · 15/02/2018 21:45

I swam with dolphins in Florida when I was a teenager and it was absolutely incredible; a once in a lifetime experience. The photos I have are very treasured.

However, I didn’t know about the ethics of it then so I would think twice before doing it again.

Shmithecat · 15/02/2018 21:48

It's abuse. Unethical. Fucking ignorant. Very indulgent. Don't do it. Places like sea world should be closed down.

I went out on a boat on the Florida Flats. A whole family of wild dolphins followed us. It was just incredible. An amazing experience. Do that instead.

BathshebaKnickerStickers · 15/02/2018 22:02

Is it still the “to do” thing for children with ASD..? I remember for a while swimming with dolphins was sold as a great “therapy” for many SEN children...

HeartOfSass · 15/02/2018 22:20

Classic - that's as maybe, but I can't understand in this day and age how anyone can be so gauche. "Which live wild creatures shall I exploit for my own enjoyment and of no benefit to them, shall it be sea lions or dolphins? Cos like, sea lions sound more fun. Don't geddit for dolphins...."

Still don't know why sea lions sound more fun. I have a horrible feeling the answer would be "because they clap their hands and they can balance a ball on their nose".

Original poster
allthegoodnameshadgone · 15/02/2018 22:32

Heart of sass

I asked. I said to people I may go to Florida people said about swimming with dolphins.

I'm not comfortable with it after this thread as I was uneducated about it.

I've read up. It's not for me or my family.

I'm not read up about everything in the world. Hence me asking for an opinion. It's changed my view.

OP posts:
Anasnake · 15/02/2018 22:38

Well done op xx

OutyMcOutface · 15/02/2018 22:40

I did it as a child. Not that great but exciting for a ten year old. If an adult did (baring to supervise a child) it I would be a bit Hmm though.

Mysideofthings · 15/02/2018 22:40

All the people saying it's cruel and inhumane are correct.

However if you eat eat you're a hypocrite.

oliversax · 15/02/2018 22:40

In captivity is just beyond my comprehension. I noticed a few posters saying they had swum with dolphins in the wild and it was the choice of the dolphins. My experience of swimming with dolphins in New Zealand supports this, it was their choice and they chose not to swim with us! We also were (rightly) not allowed to get into the water with a pod with children.

sportyfool · 15/02/2018 22:49

Blackfish is so so sad , I have friends who rave about swimming with dolphins. When I bring up the cruelty they don't care , they only care about little Jonny enjoying it .. I hate humans sometimes !!

HeartOfSass · 15/02/2018 23:00

Well that's good then OP.

Out of interest why would sea lions sound more fun? Genuine question. I know that's referring to your thoughts pre-research so it's not how you'd necessarily think now but - I am genuinely interested in the thought process that was going on there. What would sea lions offer that dolphins wouldn't in terms of fun?

(I am NOT asking so I can have a go at your answer).

TheButterflyOfTheStorms · 16/02/2018 01:07

@HeartOfSass I know you were asking the OP but in case you wanted an answer from someone who has swum with both... dolphins are quick and not that interested in people, like cats. Seals are playful, really interested and fun, like dogs.

I'm a dog person!

JustKeepStumbling · 16/02/2018 01:14

I did it in the wild and it was amazing. They spin around you when you sing to them through the snorkel. When I got my photos developed from my disposable underwater camera I realised it was the same dolphin that had kept coming back to play as it had a scar on it. I wouldn't ever do a captive swim.

DetMcnulty · 16/02/2018 04:22

I've done it in the wild, in western Australia, there's a wild encounters company that takes you out from Perth. Was a fab experience. I paddle board too and quite often see them up pretty close when they're in playful moods both in the swan river and out on the ocean and it never gets old, still magical.

Next on our list is to swim with the whale sharks off Ningaloo reef which looks next level fab.

NaughtToThreeSadOnions · 16/02/2018 04:47

Jenden now sharks are AMAZING
I'd love to swim with lemons or nurse sharks.

Or Rays, Rays are my favorite

LeslieKnopefan · 16/02/2018 05:09

I did it 15 years ago and it was amazing BUT even in this short time things have moved on and I wouldn’t do it now.

putputput · 16/02/2018 05:27

Tempting as may be, wild swimming with sea lions is not a great idea. Their mouths harbour huge amounts of bacteria and a playful bite from them is likely to give you a nasty infection.

LeslieKnopefan · 16/02/2018 05:31

I have swam with wild manatees in Florida.

That was amazing. There are quite a few rules which basically mean you have to wait for them to come to you and if they swim away you can’t follow them.

They love a good belly scratch so spent ages with one giving him/her a good scratch. Was amazing

Original poster
allthegoodnameshadgone · 16/02/2018 10:09

Heart of sass

I just prefer sea lions. It's years since I have been a zoo and I vaguely remember sea lions being playful and similar to dogs in behaviour.

But like I said, it was a genuine question at the beginning about having the experience of swimming with dolphins as when I mentioned it in work that I was thinking about Disney world, everyone chipped in with "oh you must swim with Dolphins for your daughter"

We've never been anywhere like that before so I suppose I've never really been exposed to the thought process of how they come to be in captivity.

We will not be going to sea world. We will not be swimming with any captive animal. It's so so wrong on every level.

Every reply has been useful. I am astounded it's still legal to keep whales, dolphins etc and "train" them

OP posts:
carrie74 · 16/02/2018 10:35

We go to Florida regularly and I would never do the Discovery Cove thing (I believe they also do it an the Miami Seaquarium, and in sure numerous other places). Florida is surrounded by the sea which is absolutely riddled with sea life, watching dolphins in their own habitat in the wild is entrancing. I've never understood why people would go all the way to Florida then go to SeaWorld/Gatorland or whatever to see the very animals that proliferate the state in captivity.

NutElla5x · 16/02/2018 10:50

Oh God I hope the cruel,exploitative cunts who use dolphins for the entertainment of equally cruel or just plain ignorant people don't see this or they'll be capturing sea lions to use for our amusement next! :(

classicchristmas · 16/02/2018 13:01

allthegoodnames so impressed at your take from the thread really am. Maybe go back to work and convert a few of the others there who don't see it from the dolphins point of view - yet Smile

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