The keeping of dolphins, orcas, and other marine mammals in captivity remains deeply controversial, with evidence of significant welfare compromise in many facilities alongside conservation and education arguments.
The welfare case against keeping large cetaceans in conventional pool facilities is supported by extensive evidence. Their social complexity, communication requirements, ranging motivation, and cognitive sophistication are fundamentally incompatible with pool environments. Chronic stress indicators including gastric ulcers, stereotypic behaviour, and aggression between animals are well documented. Smaller cetaceans like bottlenose dolphins show more variable welfare outcomes depending on facility quality, but the evidence base for systemic welfare compromise in poorly managed facilities is substantial. The emergence of sea sanctuary models offers a potential middle path for animals who cannot be released to the wild. The trend in developed nations is toward ending new captures and transitioning away from entertainment-focused marine mammal keeping.