Hammond Aqualife, LLC. is planning to construct an aquarium/waterpark in Stark County, Ohio. Disturbingly, they plan to include what they deem as rescued marine mammals that "could not be reintroduced to their natural habitat" for display as well as "a unique opportunity to sign up for therapy with marine mammals."

A recent report by the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) and the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) has said that

"In the debate over marine mammals in captivity, the public display industry maintains that marine mammal exhibits serve a valuable conservation function, people learn important information from seeing live animals, and captive marine mammals live a good life. However, animal protection groups and a growing number of scientists counter that the lives of captive marine mammals are impoverished, people do not receive an accurate picture of a species from captive representatives, and the trade in live marine mammals negatively impacts populations and habitats. The more we learn of marine mammals, the more evidence there is that the latter views are correct."

"Children learn to view dolphins as dependent on humans— rather than as competent and independent—when their only exposure to these animals is in captivity."

Also, the credibility of marine mammal therapy has been called into question by the same report:

"Many new commercial facilities around the world claim they are conducting DAT (Dolphin Assisted Therapy), seeking to put a positive, altruistic spin on a money-making venture. Many of these, however, are staffed by individuals with questionable credentials. In fact, DAT appears no more effective than using domesticated animals such as puppies or kittens, and is far more expensive and clearly carries higher risks for the patients."

Marine mammals are intelligent, highly social animals that need to be kept out of captivity.

I, and the undersigned, urge Hammond Aqualife to rethink their use of marine mammals in the Canton Aquaworld facility.