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type of relationship that becomes possible with mutual respect. We 

 work with two seals and two sea lions on a "free-release" basis. Al- 

 though "free-release" isn't widely practiced, we find it works if animal 

 handlers take the time and offer the devotion the method requires. We 

 believe the method is the best available tool for studying marine mam- 

 mals and that it's the proper method of relating to them. 



Mr. DiNGELL. The committee would be happy to see the film. 



(Showing of film.) 



Mr. HoRSTMAN. Our program has two fundamental elements. The 

 animals aren't confined to cages but are able to move freely about 

 our station on land and in open waters at sea. The animals also re- 

 ceive individual attention from individual trainers. They're seldom 

 in confinement. In short, we believe the care and training of sea 

 mammals is a full-time job which brings with it tremendous respon- 

 sibilities. But if these responsibilities are met, rewarding interaction 

 between animals and humans is possible. 



All of our animals regularly work with trainers in the open waters, 

 off the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. Their willingness to follow 

 directions and perform tasks for men in this environment and then 

 to return to our boat when finished, convinces us that they've achieved 

 a high level of identification with us. Perhaps they've even made some 

 type of choice to remain with us rather than venture back to the open 

 sea. 



Already we've learned many things about these highly intelligent, 

 graceful, very strong, and alert animals. And among the lessons of 

 greatest relevance to this committee, we've learned that pinnipeds 

 stand ready as the creatures who can assist men as they seek to enter 

 the sea. 



Our pinnipeds have learned to perform tasks which are valuable 

 to men but which men, in an environment of water, can perform only 

 with difficulty. Our animals cooperate with divers in the retrieval of 

 tools, towing objects, handling lines, and underwater navigation. Man's 

 relation with the dog in a terrestrial environment, gives us an appro- 

 priate analogy for the role sea mammals have in an oceanic environ- 

 ment. 



A human diver with sea mammals by his side, would have an assist- 

 ant who could save energy for the diver by filling an envoy's role. And 

 as these animals have shown their willingness to cooperate in these 

 simple tasks, it seems likely to us they can be trained to more complex 

 tasks. 



Three of our animals, for instance, have been taught the rudimen- 

 tary elements of a banking system, which employs plastic discs as the 

 medium of exchange. Rewarded underwater with a disc, Tinkerbell, 

 Vicki, or Rocky will swim to the surface and cash this currency for 

 fish. We deviseii this system to skirt the dangers of carrying chopped 

 fish in shark trafficked waters. The animals have adapted to this 

 method quite well. They've even been persuaded to deposit their discs 

 in a savings account, for short periods of time. Gentlemen, your col- 

 leagues on the House Banking Committee will be happy to learn 

 we've escaped most problems of devaluation. The rate of exchange has 

 held constantly at one mackerel chunk for each disc. 



Much of what I've said comes to this point : Research that seeks 

 beneficial relationships between man and these creatures, without 



