A study of dolphin intelligence that found them to be second only to humans has suggested this level of intellect could lead them to suffer when held in captivity.

The American Association for the Advancement of Science conference in San Diego was told on Sunday how the creatures’ brain power means they can suffer psychological problems linked to being captured and confined. This came as part of US neuroscientist, Lori Marino’s presentation of her extensive studies into dolphin intelligence.

Marino conducted a breakthrough study in 2001, in which Dolphins were shown to recognise themselves in mirrors. This demonstrated a level of self-awareness that is linked to superior intelligence.

Further studies since then have lead Marino to describe the mammals as: “sophisticated, self-aware, highly intelligent beings with individual personalities, autonomy and an inner life.”

This new-found emotional and social complexity could necessitate a rethinking of the current treatment of dolphins, especially those held in captivity being made to perform. Marino said: “Our current knowledge of dolphin brain complexity and intelligence suggests that these practices are potentially psychologically harmful to dolphins”

Mark Simmons of the WDCS believes that our change of attitude should extend beyond just those held in wildlife parks: “We need to start to rethink how we are interacting with these animals in the wild.”

Generating empathy with an animal’s plight is often the most effective way of changing attitudes towards them. In the case of dolphins the leap of imagination to think how cruelty or captivity affects them may not be a huge one. As Mark Simmons soberly puts it: “They can suffer in the same way we suffer.”

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