Frequently Asked Questions About Captivity

There are a number of concerning issues when it comes to dolphin and whale captivity. With so many marine parks and aquariums using terms like “rescue” or “research” there is a level of confusion among consumers. The following are some of the most common questions we’ve received about dolphin captivity. More information about captivity issues is available on our Facts About Captivity page.

Aquariums and Marine Parks

Where do captive dolphins come from?

Many marine parks and aquariums utilize artificial insemination to breed captive cetaceans in order to keep their tanks full. Parks that are not able to breed their captive dolphins and whales may also resort to purchasing wild-captured dolphins from gruesome dolphin drive hunts.

Aren't most captive dolphins rescued?

Some captive dolphin facilities do act as responders for wildlife strandings and offer rescue services. However, data from marine mammal inventory reports show that most captive dolphins are actually bred and not rescued. In reality, the instances of rescue are very low, and most of their efforts are devoted to their profit-making business.

Aren’t dolphins safer in captivity than in the wild? There’s so much pollution in the ocean.

While there are threats in the wild, the vast majority of oceanic dolphin species are not endangered and we are working to keep it that way!

On the other hand, captive dolphins face a great deal of serious issues. A quick look through the Marine Mammal Inventory Report will show you very concerning and self-reported causes of death dolphins have endured in marine parks including foreign object ingestion, drowning, killed by another dolphin, food poisoning, and jumped out of tank, to name a few. We also have to consider quality of life. One could argue that humans would be a lot safer in a prison cell or even never leaving their house than they would be if they went outside to face car accidents, shootings, terrorism, pollution, etc., yet we still leave our house every day and take the risk.

Don't marine parks do some good work?

Some marine parks participate in rescue work and education on conservation issues such as marine pollution and overfishing. These are commendable, but they do not justify displaying cetaceans captive for entertainment purposes. With the technology available today, there are endless possibilities for cruelty-free attractions, experiences and rides that can engage and entertain park guests, instead of displaying live dolphins and whales.

Are all aquariums bad?

Every facility should be researched independently and evaluated even if they do not have captive marine mammals. It is difficult to make blanket statements about each facility, since it requires an understanding of all their exhibits and tank configurations, as well as research on the work they do. Many do engage in great conservation efforts, but they often also keep some animals confined in tighter quarters than we’d like. Larger species like sharks have difficulty thriving in captive conditions as well. At the end of the day, it is a judgment call for each individual to decide what they wish to support. We always advise doing your own independent research online before visiting, and also explore other nearby options such as whale watching tours that may be available.

What parts of the world have banned cetacean captivity?

With growing awareness about major welfare and ethical concerns for cetaceans in captivity, a growing number of places around the world are moving to ban/phase out the captivity of dolphins and whales. See the full list of places that are protecting dolphins from captivity on our Where are Dolphins Protected? page.

If a dolphinarium is a nonprofit, does that mean they can’t profit off of their captive dolphins?

Some captive dolphin facilities have registered themselves as nonprofits, but it doesn’t prevent them from being able to profit off of their animals. These facilities can still pay their owners and employees as much as they’d like and some earn six-figure salaries. Operating as a nonprofit also allows them other benefits, like the ability to accept donations and get a better deal on their taxes.

Which captive facilities have been closed?

Thanks to Dolphin Project’s work along with efforts of cetacean advocates all over the world, a number of captive dolphin facilities have been closed or never opened. See the full list on our Closed Facilities page!

Dolphin Sanctuaries, Rehabilitation and Release

How is closing a marine park a victory?

The closure of a dolphinarium means one less place where captive dolphins and whales are subjected to exploitive breeding programs- preventing countless generations from lifetimes of exploitation. In an industry that has already bred more animals than they can manage, this is a massive step forward. A closure is ONE huge step forward – but not the last step.

Can captive dolphins return to the ocean?

All captive dolphins are candidates for retirement in natural sea sanctuaries near their home range. Depending on several factors, some captive dolphins may also be candidates for readaptation and release. Read more about our retirement and release cases on our Dolphin Sanctuary Project page!

Why don't dolphins in closed aquariums just go to sanctuaries?

The reality is that even after a closure, captive dolphins and whales are still corporately owned. The responsibility and future of these animals first lies with them and with the governments they fall under – not with the grassroots activists, organizations and individuals who spent decades speaking up and working out of pocket to prevent this cycle of cruelty.

Dolphin sanctuaries, and rehablitation, release and retirement for captive dolphins is possible when all involved parties cooperate – and here is the proof. Dolphin Project has reached out to several parties to work towards retirement and rehabilitation sanctuaries for captive dolphins left in recently closed facilities, and we will continue to advocate for and work towards this.

What's the difference between a sanctuary and a marine park?

Based on inquiries we have received, it appears there is confusion about facilities that list themselves as “sanctuaries” yet keep dolphins for display and interactive programs. We’ve compiled some tips here to help potential customers research before they support a captive dolphin facility here.

Why aren't captive dolphin owners held accountable when their facility closes down?

This is exactly the question we all should be asking. Marine parks, dolphinariums and the authorities that permit dolphin and whale captivity are the very parties that created, sanctioned, and profited from a system built on capture, captive breeding, and long-term confinement.