DANIEL NG PENG KEAT Today Online 4 Nov 14;
It is sad that one of the pink Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins at Underwater World Singapore is suffering from skin cancer. (“UWS rebuts wildlife group’s report on health, treatment of dolphins”; Oct 28)
While the cancer is non-contagious, it is less clear how malignant it is and what the prognosis is. One may also ask if adequate care had been undertaken before venturing to have these marine mammals at UWS.
Online resources indicate that in their natural habitat, these dolphins typically swim in coastal waters at an average depth of 20m and feed close to the ocean floor. These natural conditions and practices are unlikely to be mimicked successfully in captivity. Coupled with shows and training sessions taking place under the sun, could the environment have increased their risk of developing skin cancer?
Biologically, pink dolphins already appear vulnerable to damaging ultraviolet rays from the sun since they have little to no pigmentation, in contrast to their grey counterparts.
This risk of skin cancer might have been mitigated if the dolphins swam in deeper water as in their natural habitat, since water acts as a natural block to harmful UV radiation.
The UWS and the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority should learn from this unfortunate episode and take substantial steps towards greater stewardship over these endangered creatures by enhancing their work, living and after-care conditions.
See also
Dolphin Project Vet: Pink dolphin's skin cancer 'very advanced'
