Sea lions are highly intelligent, social marine mammals frequently kept in zoos and marine parks. Their welfare needs and use in performances raise important ethical questions.
Sea lion welfare in captivity depends significantly on the quality of management and the nature of human interactions they experience. Cognitive enrichment, complex foraging challenges and appropriate social grouping can support good welfare. However, performing sea lions face specific welfare challenges: repeated performances in noisy, crowded environments cause stress; food restriction to maintain training compliance may compromise nutrition; and the emphasis on entertainment rather than natural behaviour limits positive welfare opportunities. Progressive facilities have shifted toward husbandry-based interactions that prioritise natural behaviour expression. The broader question of whether any marine mammal can truly thrive in captivity remains contested among animal welfare scientists.