Sea lions are highly intelligent, social marine mammals. Their welfare in aquarium and entertainment settings is shaped by social complexity, space, diet and cognitive stimulation.
Sea lion welfare in captivity depends critically on pool complexity, social group management and cognitive engagement. Barren circular pools prevent naturalistic movement patterns and contribute to welfare-compromising stereotypies. Shows that use food deprivation to motivate performance create hunger-based compliance rather than voluntary engagement. Best practice involves large complex pools, stable social groups, positive reinforcement training that builds rather than exploits the human-animal relationship, and cognitive enrichment through novel objects and problem-solving tasks. Facilities that prioritise welfare over entertainment value demonstrate that high welfare and public education are compatible goals.