Experts raise concerns for beluga whales at Vancouver Aquarium
Animal behaviour experts abserving the activities of a beluga whale at the Vancouver Aquarium in Canada have expressed concerns that the whales are exhibiting repetitive behaviour — also known as sterotypy.
After visiting the facility one expert, Rebecca Ledger said that the belugas were ‘trapped, not fulfilled and were behaving abnormally.’
‘These are very intelligent animals, she said. we’re not talking about cockroaches.’
Of particular concern is the mental state of Qila, a beluga whale held captive since birth in 1995. Visitors to the Vancouver Aquarium can watch Qila swim repetitively in a clockwise pattern for a large part of the day.
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