Orcas are highly intelligent apex predators living in complex matrilineal societies. Wild populations face pollution, prey depletion, and noise, while captive orcas experience profound welfare problems.
Captive orcas are confined to tanks thousands of times smaller than their wild ranges. Stereotypic behaviour, aggression, and shortened lifespans are well-documented. Wild orcas face starvation as Chinook salmon populations collapse. Acoustic pollution from shipping interferes with echolocation and communication. Entanglement in fishing gear is a documented mortality cause.