Armenia: ecologists argue against dolphin captivity

Today in Yerevan at the dolphinarium "Nemo" the Armenian ecologists held the picket for protection of dolphins. Ecologists pointed out the inadmissibility of putting wild animals into captivity, which, according to the scientists, leads to severe psychological consequences for the animals.

"I express my strong dissent against keeping the wild animals in captivity. Probably, this brings great fun for some people, but at this we are losing a piece of humanity. This is unacceptable," the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent was told Inga Zarafyan, the chairperson of the ecologic organization "Ecolur".

Razmik Pogosyan, another ecologist told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that dolphins suffer from stress in captivity.

Silva Adamyan, the chairperson of the organization "Centre of birdwatchers", told the journalists that the high-altitude climate of Armenia is not suitable for the marine animals. According to Ms Adamyan, the lifetime of the most intelligent mammals, living in the world, is considerably reduced in captivity.

Meanwhile, Dmitry Uryvsky, the head coach of the dolphinariums "Nemo" network, told the journalists that dolphins live in captivity up to 40 years, whereas under natural conditions their life may last only 20 years. According to Dmitry Uryvsky, the Yerevan dolphinarium ensures all necessary standards for the dolphins.