JEDDAH, WILLEMSTAD - International experts reject the statement issued by the Curaçao Sea Aquarium about the death of dolphin Mosa. The animal organization Animal Rights spoke to several experts about the death of the bottlenose dolphin.
Mosa, along with four other dolphins, was transferred from the Curaçao Sea Aquarium to the Fakieh Aquarium in Saudi Arabia in June. Camera images showed that the dolphin turned out of nowhere at high speed in a straight line and swam hard against a wall. Mosa suffered serious injuries and died as a result of a considerable amount of blood in her lungs.
According to Seaquarium, it would be more common for female dolphins to die prematurely due to ovulation. The Seaquarium therefore calls Mosa's death 'not very strange'.
The experts consulted by Animal Rights indicate other causes for Mosa's behavior than the statement by Seaquarium. "No expert had ever heard of the relationship between 'playing up hormones' and self-injury," the animal organization said. According to the experts, other factors may have played a role, including stress and anxiety.
“It's difficult to pinpoint the exact causes of self-harm, but it's definitely a sign of a poor emotional state,” said wildlife veterinarian Mason Payne. According to marine mammal scientist Naomi Rose, scientific literature says nothing about the connection between hormonal changes and the behavior of Mosa. “Like all mammals, dolphins can experience dysregulation through puberty, but this does not lead to suicidal or self-mutilating behavior. Either way, female bottlenose dolphins as young as seven years old are already considered sexually mature,” Rose concludes.
Animal Rights filed a lawsuit over the sale of the five dolphins. The judge ruled in June that the animals could only leave the island if the permits were in order and that was the case. The substantive hearing of the lawsuit will take place on September 7.
“The animals should never have been sold to Saudi Arabia. The only solution is to transfer the animals to a sanctuary as soon as possible,” says campaign coordinator Anna Krijger. “Otherwise, the days of the remaining four dolphins are numbered.”