India Bans Captive Dolphin Shows

India has joined Costa Rica, Hungary and Chile as the fourth country to ban captive dolphin and orca shows.
They’ve enacted the ban because they claim the animals’ high level of intelligence grants them status as “non-human persons.”
That’s ahmayzing! That means they get rights!
India’s Ministry of the Environment and Forests said in a statement:

“Confinement in captivity can seriously compromise the welfare and survival of all types of cetaceans by altering their behavior and causing extreme distress.”

Cetaceans are marine mammals like whales and dolphins.
It’s amazing that even though they’re animals, it’s being recognized that they deserve rights.
The statement continued:

“Whereas cetaceans in general are highly intelligent and sensitive, and various scientists who have researched dolphin behavior have suggested that the unusually high intelligence; as compared to other animals means that dolphin should be seen as ├óΓé¼╦£non-human persons├óΓé¼Γäó and as such should have their own specific rights and is morally unacceptable to keep them captive for entertainment purpose.”

Wow, so progressive! Way to go, India!
Maybe the U.S. will finally decide to get with the program and protect our dolphin friends!!
[Image via Wikimedia Commons.]