Orcas (killer whales) are among Earth's most socially complex animals, and the contrast between their rich wild lives and their captive existence has driven one of the most significant animal welfare campaigns in history.
The captive orca welfare crisis is perhaps the most publicly documented case of suffering caused by keeping highly intelligent, wide-ranging animals in inadequate environments. The dorsal fin collapse seen in captive males is a physical manifestation of abnormal movement patterns - the result of circling small pools rather than swimming at depth for miles. Aggression between incompatible orcas in captivity has injured trainers and other whales. The intellectual and social deprivation of captivity causes chronic stress documented in elevated cortisol levels and stereotypic behaviors. These animals, whose wild lives involve complex problem-solving, hunt coordination, and lifelong family bonds, spend their captive lives in cognitive poverty.