Walt Disney World Resort has recently announced the retirement of the three dolphins that have long been part of the Seas with Nemo and Friends attraction at EPCOT. This decision marks a significant shift in Disney’s approach to animal-based entertainment, especially as public sentiment increasingly turns against the use of animals for human amusement.
However, while the retirement of these dolphins—Rainier, Calvin, and Malabar—seems like a positive move, concerns have emerged about their future. In a new statement made by In Defense of Animals, activists are urging Disney to reverse its decision altogether.
Related: Allegations of Animal Brutality Uncovered at Disney and Beyond, “16 Charges” of Cruelty Registered
Introduction to Dolphins at Walt Disney World Resort
EPCOT’s dolphins, all Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, have been a fixture in the theme park’s marine life exhibit for years, drawing crowds eager to witness their interactions with trainers and learn about ocean conservation. Guests have also been able to interact and swim with these animals as well.
Disney’s announcement signals an intention to step back from human-dolphin interactions as entertainment, a decision that reflects a broader cultural shift toward more ethical treatment of animals in captivity. Disney emphasized its commitment to the well-being of these dolphins, expressing that their transfer was part of the company’s larger focus on animal care and responsible stewardship. At the time, many commended Disney for this bold step towards a more ethical theme park future.
Relocation to Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park
The dolphins are scheduled to be relocated to the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park, located in Florida’s panhandle, in late October. Gulfarium describes itself as a facility that offers top-tier care and a safe environment for marine mammals. However, while the park claims to prioritize animal welfare, it also continues to use dolphins in shows and interactive programs for visitors—a point of contention for many animal rights advocates.
Critics argue that simply moving the dolphins to another facility where they will still be featured in entertainment capacities does little to improve their welfare. Animal welfare organizations are calling attention to the fact that while Disney’s move distances the dolphins from its theme parks, it fails to fully remove them from environments where they are used for profit.
Ethical Concerns Over the Dolphins’ Future
Animal rights groups have pointed out that, despite Disney’s claims of concern for the dolphins’ well-being, transferring them to another facility where they will continue to be exploited for commercial gain raises ethical questions.
Dolphins are highly intelligent, sensitive creatures that can suffer from the stresses of captivity, and advocates believe that a true commitment to their welfare would involve releasing them to a sanctuary where they would not be subjected to public displays. In Defense of Animals says:
“Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park, like many marine parks, has captive dolphins forced to perform in dolphin shows and has dolphin encounter attractions where people interact with captive dolphins. These are not natural behaviors and the dolphins are kept hungry so that they will comply with orders and endure the forced interactions in the shows in order to be fed. This is not the future the Epcot dolphins deserve.
The dolphins at Epcot should be retired and allowed to live out their lives in a sanctuary where they can be in the ocean and be able to perform their natural behaviors, not performing for humans. Tell Disney to let its dolphins go to a sanctuary by calling, speaking out on social media, and sending our letter!”
Tell #Disney to let the Epcot dolphins go to a sanctuary, not another marine park!
Take action: https://t.co/6p2BiOtfZP
Pls RT and support our work: https://t.co/K41oZeHDJD#EmptyTheTanks #CaptivityKills pic.twitter.com/UGD3EpP0fS— In Defense Of Animals (@IDAUSA) September 30, 2024
Disney’s Animal Care Legacy
Disney has long prided itself on its contributions to animal welfare and conservation, and The Seas with Nemo and Friends pavilion at EPCOT has served as an educational resource for guests about the importance of marine life conservation. In Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Disney hosts thousands of animals in a way that many in the industry deem ethical.
The decision to retire the dolphins reflects an acknowledgment of the evolving public mindset regarding animal ethics. However, the details surrounding their relocation have sparked debate about whether this change goes far enough.
While Disney’s move may reduce direct dolphin-related activities in its own parks, the underlying issue of captivity for profit remains. As more people advocate for the ethical treatment of animals, corporations like Disney are being called upon to take more meaningful steps in ensuring animals used in their attractions are given appropriate care and, where possible, released into environments that promote their long-term well-being.
What’s Next for Rainier, Calvin, and Malabar?
As Rainier, Calvin, and Malabar prepare for their transfer to Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park, the spotlight remains on their care and treatment. For many, the ultimate goal is to see a future where these animals can live out their lives in conditions that prioritize their health, happiness, and natural behaviors without the pressures of human entertainment. Idausa urges supporters to do the following:
“1. Make Calls. Please make calls to Walt Disney World Resort asking it to retire its dolphins to a sanctuary. Leave a message if you call after hours.
Executive Correspondence Office
Walt Disney World Resort
407-939-7818You can say:
“Hi, I am calling to ask that Disney properly retire the dolphins at Epcot to a proper sanctuary instead of another marine park. Dolphins are exploited and abused in captivity and they deserve to live out the rest of their lives in a seaside sanctuary where they can be in the ocean and participate in their natural behaviors. Thank you.”
2. Comment on Social Media. Please make comments on Walt Disney World Resort’s Facebook, X/Twitter, and Instagram accounts.
You can say:
Please let the dolphins at Epcot retire to a sanctuary instead of moving to a marine park where they will continue to be exploited! #EmptyTheTanksFor X/Twitter, you can use something like this: Let the Disney Dolphins go to a sanctuary! #EmptyTheTanks
3. Send a Letter. Send a letter to Walt Disney World Resort leadership by filling out the form on this page.
Sign our letter to immediately deliver your comments to:
Jeff Vahle — President, Walt Disney World Resort
Thomas Mazloum — President, Disney Signature Experiences
Josh D’Amaro — Chairman, Disney Experiences, The Walt Disney Company”
For now, their relocation may mark the end of one chapter at Walt Disney World Resort, but it is only the beginning of broader conversations about the ethics of keeping animals in captivity and how best to care for them in a world where profit and entertainment often come at their expense.