The welfare of orca in captivity is severely compromised by confinement, with sanctuaries offering a potentially more welfare-positive alternative.
The captivity of orca in concrete tanks represents one of the most extreme welfare compromises in the zoo world. These highly intelligent, socially complex animals with enormous space needs suffer profound psychological and physical harm in captivity. The movement toward sanctuary-based retirement for existing captive orca represents the most welfare-positive achievable outcome.