Dolphin shows and orca performances persist globally despite overwhelming scientific evidence that captivity causes severe psychological harm to these highly intelligent cetaceans.
Orcas and dolphins are among the most cognitively complex animals on Earth, with large brains, complex social structures and cultural transmission. Captivity prevents all natural behaviours including echolocation in meaningful environments, social choice, travel and foraging. Stereotypic behaviour, chronic aggression and dental abnormalities from biting tank walls are endemic in captive facilities. The science is unambiguous: captivity causes severe suffering in cetaceans.