The captivity of orcas and dolphins for entertainment has faced intense public and scientific scrutiny, with evidence of compromised welfare in pool environments driving policy changes globally.
The case against captivity for large marine mammals is exceptionally strong given the evidence of welfare compromise in pool environments. Orcas and dolphins are wide-ranging, socially complex animals whose behavioral and cognitive needs simply cannot be met in tanks. Collapsed dorsal fins in captive orcas are a physical manifestation of chronic stress. The shift in public opinion following documentary evidence of captive orca welfare has driven meaningful policy change, though the transition to genuinely sanctuary-based models for existing captive animals remains a challenge.