Swim-with-dolphin programs are popular tourist attractions worldwide, but their welfare impacts on captive dolphins range from significant to severe depending on program design and animal origin.
Dolphin interaction programs impose welfare costs that most visitors are unaware of. Captive dolphins in shallow, confined, noisy pools cannot fulfill their behavioral needs for complex movement, social bonds, and acoustic communication. Interaction requirements that have them repeatedly approach and interact with unfamiliar humans create chronic stress. Programs where dolphins are required to tow tourists or perform behaviors are particularly welfare-negative. The tourism industry has economic incentives to minimize welfare concerns, making independent welfare assessment and consumer education critical.