> Dear Marmam and ECS list subscribers, > > The most recent issue of _Aquatic Mammals_ is by Laurence Couquiaud entitled > "A survey of the environments of cetaceans in human care." The issue is > available as a CD for $19 plus shipping. To place an order, contact Gina > Colley ([EMAIL PROTECTED]). > > _Aquatic Mammals_ is the journal of the European Association for Aquatic > Mammals. The following information about this special issue is posted as a > favor to the journal editor - Dr. Jeanette Thomas. For information on > subscription rates or manuscript submissions, please contact Dr. Thomas at: > Department of Biological Sciences, Western Illinois University-Quad Cities, > 3561 60th Street, Moline, Illinois 61265, USA; [EMAIL PROTECTED]; Tel: > 309-762-9481, Ext 311; FAX: 309-762-6989. > > No abstracts were provided for the 8 chapters that make up the special > issue. I've provided a brief summary of what the chapter covers. For any > questions or comments about the contents of the issue, the reader can > contact Laurence Couquiaud at: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > Thank you for your continued interest in the postings of the _Aquatic > Mammals_ contents. > > Regards, > > Dagmar Fertl > Marine Mammal Biologist > Geo-Marine, Inc. > 550 East 15th Street > Plano, Texas 75074 USA > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > http://www.geo-marine.com > ********************************************************************* > I. Introduction. This section provides a bit of history behind captive > display of cetaceans, and talks about the methodology behind the special > issue. Specially, an extensive worldwide survey of existing cetacean > facilities was prepared sent to various facilities. The project team visited > 26 facilities. > > 2. Whales, dolphins, and porpoises: Presentation of the cetaceans. This > chapter provided cetacean taxonomy and an overview of cetacean biology and > behaviour, including anatomy, physiology, life history, the senses, > cognition, social life and behaviour, and possible impact of controlled > environment on behaviour. A Cetacean Species Information Table is also > presented that provides information on all species that have been kept in > captivity in the past or are presently displayed, as well as all species > listed as vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered by the IUCN. It > does not take account all species briefly kept for rehabilitation from > strandings. At the time of publication, there were 18 species of odontocetes > kept in human care on a permanent basis. > > 3. Survey of international cetacean facilities. In 1996, the first survey of > international cetacean facilities was launched to assess the status of > existing facilities worldwide and to gather information on controlled > environments to serve as a base for this guidebook. A 30-page questionnaire > was designed to request detailed information on location, function of > facility and staff, number of animals kept and species, architectural design > of pools and enclosures, life support systems, husbandry practices, diet, > and food storage and preparation. The survey attempted to understand > successful design features and husbandry practices, as well as recurrent > problems. The survey was sent by post with a letter of support by cetacean > scientist, Mrs. Karen Pryor, to 157 facilities in 41 countries (9 facilities > were not included because of no available contact information). Forty-four > questionnaires from 22 countries were received during the following year - > early 1997. This chapter presents the survey results. Although the main goal > of this survey was to receive information on the above-mentioned topics, the > statistical analysis gives a broader picture of cetacean facilities in terms > of their similarities and differences, and it allows us to begin to > understand the influence of geographical locations, culture, and types of > environment on the creation of controlled environments for cetaceans. The > survey resulted in the largest database to date on international cetacean > facilities. In addition to the survey, the project team visited 26 > institutions in Europe, America, and Asia. > > 4. Types and functions of pools and enclosures. This chapter presents > definitions of the various types of habitat in which cetaceans are housed, > as well as the function of these various types of pools, and the terms used > to name them. > > 5. Architectural design of pools and enclosures. The aim of this chapter is > to present the suggestions given in the survey questionnaire with the goal > of enhancing the quality of dolphin and whale environments in human care. > The design of different types of pools and enclosures is discussed in great > detail. > > 6. Life support systems. The aim of this chapter to give an overview of > various water systems (e.g., open ocean, open systems, semi-closed and > closed systems. Water parameters such as temperature, salinity, pH, > alkalinity, turbidity and visibility, dissolved oxygen, ammonia, nitrite, > and nitrate, as well as bacteria and algae are discussed. This is followed > by a discussion of various water purification systems. > > 7. Food and fish house. This chapter discusses different food types fed, and > an emphasis is put on the quality of food selection and storage, as well as > the importance of hygiene in preparing and handling the food and in feeding > the animals. > > 8. Husbandry. The purpose of this chapter is to present a brief overview of > the various aspects of husbandry, the necessities of medical training, and > the importance of implementing a veterinary programme to maintain the > physical and psychological health of cetaceans in human care. > > Appendix. This is a list of cetacean facilities worldwide by country. > >
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