The welfare of dolphins and orcas in zoological settings has attracted intense scrutiny, and evidence increasingly supports fundamental changes to housing standards and the phasing out of theatrical performances.
The welfare needs of highly intelligent, socially complex cetaceans are fundamentally incompatible with traditional tank housing. Social dynamics in captive groups often differ markedly from wild pods, leading to aggression and stress. Theatrical performances requiring unnatural behaviours, while potentially reducing through reformed husbandry programmes, cannot fully address the core space and natural behaviour deficits. Transitioning to coastal sanctuaries and ending captive breeding represent the most welfare-positive long-term trajectories for this population.