Dolphins in captivity are exposed to echo-reverberant pool acoustics that are the equivalent of living in a hall of mirrors for animals that perceive the world primarily through echolocation.
Acoustic welfare is an underappreciated dimension of cetacean captivity. Dolphins in pools receive constant acoustic feedback from their own echolocation bouncing off hard surfaces — a sensory environment with no wild analog. Evidence of psychological stress includes stereotypic behaviors, aggression between tank-mates, and abnormal echolocation patterns. Combined with restricted movement, social disruption, and forced performance, acoustic stress contributes to a captive environment that cannot support good cetacean welfare.