Orcas in captivity suffer severe welfare problems from small enclosures, social deprivation, and the stress of performance training.
Captive orca welfare is fundamentally incompatible with their social, cognitive, and physical needs. The space required for their natural movement cannot be replicated in any captive facility. Captive orcas show stereotypic behaviors, dental destruction, and shortened lifespans. Retirement to sea sanctuaries represents the most humane long-term solution.