SAVING MARINE MAMMALS IN THEIR NATURAL HABITAT- DO THEY HAVE A FUTURE?

Michael P. Belanger and Dr. Carin Wittnich
Oceanographic Environmental Research Society, 12 Burton Avenue, Barrie, Ontario, Canada L4N 2R2

For decades, oceans, lakes and streams have been used to conveniently dispose of society's refuse and sewage. As well, intentional or accidental spills of chemicals and oil has created a concoction that will take decades, if not centuries, to clean up and dispose of. Many groups of caring and concerned individuals have taken actions to try to save endangered species of marine animals, some believing that the animals should be left in their natural habitats at all costs. Several zoos and aquariums have developed a series of conservation programs to save animals in their natural habitats in more than 80 countries. However, this presentation will report research showing that the marine environment may have been so dramatically affected that certain species of marine animals may no longer be able to survive in their natural habitat. A review of the literature will document the increasing stress caused by numerous factors on the marine environment and its long- term effects on various species. Over fishing, chemical pollution, loss or degradation of habitat and even noise pollution could be seriously compromising any chance of several species surviving. Unfortunately, the sad truth of the data presented may be that certain habitats of the world's oceans may no longer be a viable option to either protect whole ecosystems or to save specific species. In light of the current state of the environment, this report opens the possibility that many marine animals may only be saved by building artificial environments that mimic their natural habitats free of any contaminants. The future generations of these artificially protected animals could become the only safe genetic pool with which to re-populate the world's oceans.