Russia Prohibits Killing Dolphins

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31009, 15 March 1966, Page 17

Russia Prohibits Killing Dolphins

fA’.Z. Press Association —Copyright) MOSCOW, March 14. The Soviet Government announced it had banned the catching and killing of dolphins because their brains were “strikingly close to our own,” United Press International reported.

The Fisheries Minister, Mr Alexander Ishkov, said the decision was taken after extensive research both in Russia and abroad showed that the dolphin’s brain power makes him “marine brother of man.” Mr ’shkov said that he accepted theories that dolphins could talk and might eventually be able to teach their languages to man. “We hope other countries

will follow our example,” Mr Ishkov said in the Government newspaper, “Izvestia.” “The catching of do ins should be stopped in all the seas and oceans of the globe,” he said. Dolphins have a “comradely spirit,” Mr Ishkov said. “They are selfless and brave, and have been known to save drowning people or play with children. “Research shows,” he said, “that the dolphin brain is very big and very complicated and strikingly close to our own.” He said jome scientists predicted man eventually might be able to talk with dolphins, quiz them about “their cherished secrets of the seas” or train .hem to be fish herders.