Captive orcas became a pivotal welfare issue following the documentary Blackfish; their case transformed public attitudes toward large animal captivity.
Orcas are among the most cognitively and socially complex animals on Earth. Tank confinement prevents the thousands of kilometers of daily travel, complex social structures, and acoustic communication central to their lives. Dorsal fin collapse, tooth grinding on tank edges, and aggression toward trainers and other orcas indicate profound welfare failure.