Last Captive Indo-Pacific Dolphin in Korea Finally Freed After 17 Years

The last captive Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin in Korea has finally been freed after 17 years in an aquarium.

The dolphin, known as Beebong, was released into the waters off of Jeju Island, South Korea, on October 16, The Korea Times reported.

There are an estimated 3,600 whales and dolphins in captivity across the world. Some of them are just for public display while others perform in shows. Animal rights activists have long called for their release. As highly intelligent, emotionally complex animals, many argue that dolphins are mentally affected by being kept in unnatural environments.

Beebong lived in the Pacific Resom aquarium in Jeju Island for 17 years, since 2005. He was the last of eight dolphins of his kind on the island in total and used to perform in shows.

The other dolphins were released in installments in 2013, 2015 and 2017.

"It's great to see South Korea releasing their dolphins from the hell of captivity. It shows genuine compassion and can only further enhance South Korea's image globally," John Hourston, founder of ocean conservation group the Blue Planet Society told Newsweek. "We urge China and Japan to take note as they continue to drive the demand for wild-caught cetaceans for the entertainment industry."

Beebong was trained for 70 days to get him used to the natural environment. He was also introduced to other dolphins and did not appear stressed. The dolphin also adapted well to the fast-moving currents and waves of the ocean, The Korea Times reported.

A tracking device has been fitted to the animal so that teams from the ministry may monitor its progress for the next 30 days. After that, he will be monitored for at least five days every month for the next six months, the news outlet reported.

The observations will then be given to animal welfare groups to further inform them of his progress.

In the wild, dolphins swim long lengths, forage and dive. Animal rights groups have argued that captive dolphins are unable to do this the way they would in the wild.

"What people need to remember is the cruelty involved in keeping whales and dolphin captive. They are often captured and removed from their family pod and trapped in tiny tanks unable to travel the vast distances that they would in the wild each day," Danny Groves, spokesperson for the Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC), told Newsweek.

"Confinement like this means they swim endlessly in circles and can cause them extreme mental and physical stress. Most live shorter lives than they would in the wild. But one alternative is ocean sanctuaries.

"As well as helping to establish the world's first beluga whale sanctuary in Iceland with The SEA LIFE Trust, WDC is also working in partnership with other sanctuary projects, and it is hoped these initiatives will help to encourage the rehabilitation and potential release of more captive whales and dolphins into natural environments around the world."

There have also been dangerous instances at parks where dolphins are held captive. In April, a captive dolphin at Miami Seaqurium appeared to attack a trainer during a show.

At the time, Naomi A. Rose, a marine mammal scientist at the Animal Welfare Institute, told Newsweek that behavior such as this from dolphins may indicated they are "frustrated by something" or "trying to communicate something."