A new report has been released suggesting that dolphins should enjoy the classification of ‘person’. This is based largely, in part, on the work of zoologist, Lori Marino, and professor of psychology, Diana Reiss. Their work, of course, builds off the large body of research already looking into dolphin intelligence and their findings replace chimpanzees as the planets second most intelligent mammal with dolphins. Their full findings are to be present next month at a conference in San Diego where they conclude “that the new evidence about dolphin intelligence makes it morally repugnant to mistreat them.” They will also be joined by Thomas White, professor of ethics, who has suggested that dolphins, as ‘non-human persons’, should be afforded basic rights. Read the rest of this entry »