Between
Species: Celebrating The Dolphin-Human
Bond
Toni
Frohoff & Brenda Peterson, eds.
Sierra Club Books, San Francisco, CA.
2003. 373 pp., ISBN 1-57805-070-7.
Reviewed by Rob Harle (Australia)
recluse@lis.net.au
This book is an easy and pleasurable read.
As the title, Celebrating the Dolphin-Human
Bond suggests, all aspects of this
"bond" are explored; including
findings from scientific research, stories
from mythology, poetry honouring these
marvellous creatures and a glimpse into
the historical relationship between humans
and dolphins.
The book is an anthology with a large
number of contributors from quite disparate
areas of dolphin interest. It is divided
into four parts with a number of appendices
which discuss; conservation issues, human-dolphin
interaction guidelines, relevant organizations
and a recommended reading list. Part One
investigates the human-dolphin bond specifically.
Part Two looks at the global distribution
of dolphins with fascinating stories from
Brazil to Australia to Europe. Part Three
goes beyond the myths and folk tales and
investigates the 'real life of dolphins'
backed up by considerable scientific research.
Part Four investigates and provides guidelines
for a shared future between humans and
dolphins.
Dolphins belong to the Cetacean species,
there are subspecies within this group
such as Odontoceti which as well as dolphins
include whales and porpoises, the book
uses the term dolphin very loosely to
include all of these species. As John
Lilly points out, one very important thing
which is characteristic of all these species,
apart from being mammals, is cetaceans
have larger brains than humans. This in
itself may not be significant, however,
the section of the brain known as the
'silent areas', "... which is involved
with thinking, imagination, long-term
goals, ethics etc." (pp. 80-81) is
larger in these mammals than in humans.
"The belief that humans are the pre-eminent
thinkers, doers, and feelers on this planet
is denied by these investigations".
(p. 80).
This fact alone justifies the book's main
thesis. Basically this states, that any
actions on our part concerning dolphins
should consider such actions from the
dolphin's perspective and welfare, not
ours. These creatures are not to be treated
as captives, slaves or entertainment curiosities
any more than we would treat fellow humans
in such a manner. Lilly goes so far as
to suggest that Cetaceans be afforded
rights and protection under law just as
we are.
Another important aspect of this book,
discussed by many of the contributors,
is that even our best intentioned interactions
with dolphins can be quite harmful to
them both individually and as a group.
Such programs as, "swim-with-the
dolphins" involving holiday makers
and even academic researchers, unless
carried out carefully and with specific
restraints cause problems in dolphin societies.
Certain commercial fishing practices,
"acoustic pollution", environmental
pollution and boating activities which
interrupt the dolphin's day to day living
patterns are serious threats to their
actual survival.
There has been considerable energy of
late put into the problem of how to go
about communicating with extra-terrestrial
beings intelligent species which
may be very different to ourselves this
was also discussed in a recent issue of
Leonardo Almanac. It seems to me the means
to help solve this very difficult problem,
both conceptually and practically are
right under our noses. If we accept that
dolphins may be as intelligent as ourselves,
or more intelligent, then perhaps we should
put serious scientific effort into finding
a way of establishing genuine communication
with these beings. If we can do this it
would greatly enhance our possibility
of communicating with other forms of intelligent
life in the universe, should such life
exist.
The simple style of the book, intended
primarily for general readership, tends
to mask the depth and extent of serious
scientific research which has been necessary
to compile such an anthology. This might
be a little off-putting to some scientists
(and hard-edged commercial sea-tour operators),
paradoxically I would suggest it is just
these people who need to read the book.