The captivity of whales and dolphins threatens many species worldwide. Bottlenose dolphins are the most commonly held species of cetacean in captivity, and is followed closely by the orca, or killer whale. Dolphins and whales have been known to be displayed in aquariums, marine parks, and even hotel swimming pools. Dolphins and whales are wide-ranging social animals. In captivity, they are closely confined, suffer severe deprivation, reveal signs of major suffering through aggression, mental and physical stress, lower life expectancy, and have a higher infant mortality rate than those in the wild. The military dolphins used since the Cold War to detect mines, divers, and submarines, through their echolation, are kept in confined water containers on their "off" time. They, too suffer. It is impossible to put an exact number on how many dolphins and whales have died during the traumatic capture process and how many have died due to shock and boredom while in captivity.
The Japanese drive hunts, which kill up to 2000 dolphins every year by driving large groups into bays and harbours with loud underwater noises, have been encouraged to continue their brutal practice at the high prices for live dolphins. The Soloman Islands announced, in 2007, their intentions to ship up to 100 live bottlenose dolphins each year.
In the US, according to the US National Marine Fisheries Service, over 2,300 bottlenose dolphins were captured for display between 1972 and 1994. In Germany, since the 1960s, at least 120 dolphins and whales have died while in captivity. The number is definitely higher in the US and other countries. Currently, there are hundreds of captive bottlenose dolphins, but thousands have died in captivity.
Since 1961, orcas have been held in captivity in cramped, chlorinated tanks, often resulting in frustrated and unhealthy killer whales.
“…Many of the spectators fail to register the bare concrete walls of the tank. At shows end, as they file out, few people notice the endless circling of the captives in the holding pools or the drooping dorsal fins of the males…Visitors may experience feelings of disappointment, distaste and disillusionment after watching the orcas perform…Similar emotions have been reported after seeing captive tigers or elephants - an awareness that the animals dignity is demeaned and that, in taming the spirit of the great beasts, we, too, are somehow reduced in stature.”
-WDCS
