The captivity of dolphins, orcas, and other cetaceans in marine parks raises fundamental welfare questions about whether the needs of these large-brained, wide-ranging animals can be met in artificial environments.
Cetacean captivity represents the most extreme mismatch between natural behavioral requirements and captive provision of any commonly kept species. Orcas that travel vast distances in complex three-dimensional ocean environments are confined to tanks that, however large by human standards, represent a tiny fraction of their natural activity space. The collapsed dorsal fins seen in virtually all captive male orcas are a visible marker of the poor welfare state that corresponds with a lifetime of confinement - this never occurs in free-ranging populations. Shortened lifespans, collapsed teeth from stereotypic behavior, and social group abnormalities reflect the cumulative welfare deficit of captivity. The trend away from captive cetacean displays reflects growing public understanding of this welfare reality.