Dolphin shows and swim-with-dolphin programs persist in some countries despite growing evidence of welfare harm - evaluating the evidence helps advocates make the case for change.
Dolphin marine park welfare evidence spans multiple domains: lifespan data, stress hormone measures, stereotypic behaviour observation, and comparative social complexity assessments. Captive dolphins in performance-based facilities face chronic stress from forced interactions, restricted social choice, acoustic disturbance from shows, and limited spatial range. Swim-with-dolphin programs expose individual animals to many hundreds of human interactions per year with no ability to opt out. Consumer choice to avoid marine parks with performance dolphins and swim programs directly reduces the market for these welfare-compromising activities. Certification schemes for marine mammal facilities that exclude performance shows provide a market signal for better welfare standards.