The ethics of keeping dolphins in captivity involves complex welfare science alongside shifting public values that have driven significant policy changes globally.
Dolphin captivity welfare science has consistently documented welfare compromise in captive cetaceans - reduced lifespan, stereotypic behavior, restricted behavioral repertoire, and psychological indicators of chronic stress. The public shift away from support for dolphin entertainment shows has driven significant industry change, with major theme parks ending dolphin shows and breeding programs. The welfare question of whether any form of cetacean captivity can be justified now centers on the balance between education, research, and welfare costs - a balance that many jurisdictions have concluded cannot be made favorable for wild-caught or captive-bred cetaceans.