Cetaceans in captivity face profound welfare challenges rooted in the mismatch between their complex needs and what any facility can realistically provide.
The behavioral ecology of cetaceans — their social complexity, acoustic communication, and vast ranging needs — is fundamentally incompatible with captive environments. Research consistently documents elevated stress hormones, shortened lifespans, and abnormal behaviors in captive cetaceans. While some facilities have improved animal welfare standards, the scientific consensus is that no captive environment can adequately meet cetacean needs. Sanctuaries offering sea pens represent a more humane alternative for animals unable to be released.