The keeping of cetaceans in captivity for entertainment has faced growing scientific and public scrutiny. The welfare evidence increasingly supports moving away from display toward sanctuary models.
Captive cetacean welfare is one of the most debated issues in animal keeping. Orcas in particular show stereotypic behaviours, abnormal social dynamics, dental pathology from bar-chewing, and reduced longevity compared to wild populations. The social complexity and ranging behaviour of cetaceans makes captive conditions fundamentally inadequate. Accredited sanctuaries in coastal sea pens offer substantially better welfare than traditional aquarium tanks while still allowing conservation education and research.