A dolphin in captivity - Wildlife. Not entertainers - World Animal Protection

The seven biggest lies the captive dolphin industry tells

Blog

By

The cruel, multi-billion dollar captive dolphin industry relies on lies to keep visitors in the dark. Don't be fooled – dolphins belong in the wild

A dolphin swims past a family in a barren tank

Lie 1: Dolphinariums are educational for your family

Truth: Watching dolphins in captivity is not a real educational experience.

What you’re seeing are trained animals, trapped against their will and behaving unnaturally.

This isn’t only harmful to dolphins – it’s teaching children that wild animals don’t deserve freedom.

A young child feeds a captive dolphin

Lie 2: Captive dolphins are no longer wild

Truth: Caged dolphins aren’t domesticated, they’re trapped.

Domestication takes thousands of years and special circumstances. Dolphins in captivity are still wild and can never have their needs met in these venues.

Even if a dolphin is born in captivity, it isn’t domesticated. We need to protect them in the wild, not confine them to tiny, barren tanks.

Two dolphins jump through hoops at an unnatural environment

Lie 3: Dolphinariums are vital for research and conservation

Truth: Most dolphins are not endangered, and they don’t need conservation.

In the last 50 years, less than 40 dolphins have been released back into the wild, and captive-born dolphins will likely never be released.

Don’t be fooled – this is entertainment, not science.

A female tourist leans in to stroke a captive dolphin

Lie 4: Captive dolphins want to interact with us

Truth: Dolphins are curious and intelligent and will often investigate humans in the wild of their own free will. This isn’t what happens in captivity.

These animals have been deprived of food and trained to perform tricks. They don’t want to interact with you, they’re doing a job.

Dolphins do bond with their trainers – but it’s not out of choice.

Dolphin performing in front of trainer at a theme park

Lie 5: Dolphins love to perform

Truth: Captive dolphins aren’t following their dreams. They’re doing a job.

They perform these ‘tricks’ because that’s how to get fed. This couldn’t be further from natural behaviour.

They might look like they’re smiling, but don’t be fooled. It’s just the shape of their face.

Two dolphins at the side of the pool following their trainers demands

Lie 6: Captive dolphins are happy and healthy

Truth: Some dolphins might live a little longer in captivity, but at what cost?

Captive dolphins become bored and listless, swimming endlessly in circles. Some become aggressive and attack their fellow prisoners. They often grind their teeth down and chew the walls and bars of their tank.

Some have even been observed choosing to stop breathing.

Not to mention the effects of chlorine and overexposure to sunlight in their shallow, barren tanks. Is that the kind of life you want to lead for longer?

Four dolphins jump out of the water during a live performance

Lie 7: Dolphinariums provide a natural environment

Truth: A swimming pool and the sea are the not the same.

In the wild, dolphins swim dozens of miles a day in an ocean full of other animals, plants and endless variety. In captivity, they’re confined to tanks 200,000 times smaller than their natural range.

In the wild they live in large, natural groups with their families. In captivity, they’re taken away from their mothers too young, leading to aggressive behaviour and fighting.

Where would you rather live?

Expose this cruelty

The captive dolphin industry thrives on misinformation, but the truth is clear—dolphins belong in the wild, not in tanks or artificial lagoons. These intelligent, social beings suffer immensely in captivity.

You can help end dolphin captivity by refusing to buy tickets to marine parks and urging travel companies to stop promoting exploitative attractions.

Want to see dolphins thriving? Visit a Whale Heritage Area, where they can be admired in their natural habitat.

More About

Marine Mammals Latest

Related Campaigns

Ending commercial exploitation

Wildlife

Together we can drive down consumer demand and expose the lies of businesses that profit from cruelly exploiting wild animals.

Protecting wildlife in travel & tourism

Wildlife

Would a real responsible traveller have captive wildlife entertainment on their wish list?

GetYourGuide Severely Fails Wildlife

GetYourGuide travel company is severely failing wildlife with exploitative wild animal attractions - Take action now!