Here’s an interesting trivia for you: Dolphins are naturally playful because their brain development is similar to humans–an attribute that makes them as smart as apes. They also live in a group that loves to socialize and hunt together.
Despite being carnivores or meat-eaters, dolphins have “few natural enemies,” aside from humans. They suffer from inconsiderate man-made actions like ocean pollution and illegal hunting practices. Because of these inhumane acts, these intelligent and friendly mammals end up severely hurt or dying.
Recently, a bottlenose dolphin called Honey died after two years of being abandoned in a tank at the Marine Park Aquarium in Japan. The marine park was shut down due to financial troubles following the 2011 earthquake and tsunami. Even though the park was sold last year, there weren’t enough people to visit the animals–causing the park’s permanent closure.
According to the report of LADBible, only one employee is assigned to feed Honey, along with the 46 penguins and hundreds of fish and reptiles in the enclosure.
Since news of this spread, there have been plans to rescue the dolphin. Sadly, these did not push through since Honey had a low chance of survival. She then passed away on March 29.
The Dolphin Project produced a video that shows Honey’s condition at the aquarium park, wherein she experienced no interaction at all with anyone or anything.
She is now dubbed as the “world’s loneliest dolphin” and she will also be the “face of dolphin captivity”.
In a statement released by PETA’s director, Elisa Allen stressed that “We must work to move captive marine animals to seaside sanctuaries – where they can enjoy some semblance of the natural life they’ve been denied for so long.”
Rest in peace now, Honey.
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