Response: On Vancouver Aquarium and SeaWorld’s use of Artificial Insemination

This guest post was authored by Dr. Todd Robeck, DVM, PhD – Vice President of Theriogenology, SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc.

A Recent Huffington Post story (“Vancouver Aquarium’s SeaWorld Connection”) on the respected Vancouver Aquarium made several references to SeaWorld’s use of assisted reproductive technology. Many of those statements were misleading or outright false.

Artificial insemination (AI) was first documented for use in a dog in 1784. However, its widespread use for managing the genetic diversity and reproduction of domestic animals did not start until the 1940s. Today, nearly all dairy cattle, most pigs and turkeys for human consumption in the U.S. are conceived using AI. In addition, one in eight human couples face some form of infertility in which AI and/or more complicated assisted reproductive techniques may be employed¹

In the past several decades, AI or other assisted reproductive techniques have been adopted for use in conjunction with habitat protection to help in the recovery or preservation of endangered species like the black-footed ferret, giant panda, Sumatran rhino, whooping crane, Wyoming toad and scimitar-horned oryx, among others².

For other species, it is simply too late.

AI cannot help the Yangtze River or baiji dolphin, a species that is now extinct. The baiji may soon be joined by the vaquita porpoise, a beautiful, but critically endangered cetacean native to the waters of Mexico’s Sea of Cortez.

Displaying an ignorance and perhaps discomfort with basic reproductive biology not only demonstrates a lack of understanding of the widespread use of assisted reproductive technologies like AI, but also trivializes the dire circumstances surrounding its need for preserving many imperiled animal species. What is more troubling than presenting a generally uninformed and misleading position, is supporting that position with unsubstantiated data, and, in some cases, “facts” that are entirely false. Some of these statements include:

1. “[Nanuq] was removed 42 times for the manual collection of samples…” No cetaceans are ever removed from the water to collect semen. The behavior is trained by operant conditioning and positive reinforcement and if it was at all negative the animals would not participate.
2. “This program has hormonally induced” … Reproductive research has shown that beluga are induced ovulators – much like cats and unlike other cetaceans studied thus far, and must be given a hormone that is produced as a result of copulation for ovulation to occur; similar hormones are given to every person undergoing IVF treatments. The discovery of this unique biologic adaptation is a breakthrough in our understanding of beluga reproduction.³
3.  “…who were inseminated on dry land…” Females lay on thick foam pads and are continually sprayed with water to keep their skin moist and prevent overheating, and are at all times monitored by a veterinarian⁴. The statement “placed on dry land” is misleading and apparently intended to cast SeaWorld in a negative light.
4. “…including a pair of twins that died within weeks of birth.” One of the twins was dead prior to birth and the other was treated with the most advanced neonatal care available resulting in the first twin from any cetacean to ever survive.⁵  These are a few of the many examples of how research conducted at SeaWorld and other zoos and aquaria, including the Vancouver Aquarium, is advancing our understanding of the reproductive biology and the care and conservation of these magnificent animals.

Due to man’s continual interaction with the “wild”, a term that may need to be redefined in the near future, the world is currently in the dawn of what has been described as the sixth mass extinction. This extinction, which is occurring at an unprecedented rate, is primarily due to anthropogenic causes. It is our responsibility to seek ways, where necessary, to manage animals, their environments, and entire ecosystems, to the extent possible.

It would be irresponsible not to attempt to understand the biology of such magnificent ambassadors like the beluga, animals that are thriving under human care. Species preservation begins with, in fact demands, knowledge of their reproduction.

It is critically important to continue to conduct the research now, so that if the day comes in the future where we need to able to act to protect the animals from extinction, we have the tools, experience and knowledge to proceed.

¹2006-2010 National Survey of Family Growth, CDC

²Wildt et al., (2010) Molecular Reproduction and Development 77:397-409.

³Steinman et al., 2012. General and Comparative Endocrinology 175:389-397

⁴Robeck et al. 2010. Theriogenology 74:989-1001

⁵Osborn et al. 2012. Management of twin pregnancy and neonatal concerns in a beluga (Delphinapterus leucas). J Zoo Wild Med. 43(1):193-196.).