Among the males orcas in captivity 100% of them have collapsed dorsal fins, while in the wild collapsed dorsal fin is a rare occurrence. Today, many orcas are living in captivity educating people on these animals but this is at the price of their health. In captivity there are pros and cons, but do the pros trump the cons?

It is important to understand both sides of the spectrum as a consumer because your attendance is critical to marine parks and aquariums. Visits to these places give them an estimate on who is interested. With a high interest in these places they would have no reason to consider fixing or changing how orcas are exhibited. If the interest decreased and consumers spoke up about the captivity of orcas in marine parks and aquariums then possibly they would consider altering the way orcas are cared for.

It is up to the people to make a change.

These orcas do not deserve to be forced in captivity in marine parks and aquariums. They animals were never created to live in captivity under human care. Sure there are benefits to having them in these places and exhibited for people to see, but considering the pros and con I believe that the cons far outweigh the pros.

The cons to keeping orcas in captivity is a substantial amount. In captivity their physical environment is reduced. Orcas that are housed in captivity are left in tanks that are only a fraction of their natural environment. Noted to dive thousands of feet per day, they are limited to only dive tens of feet due to tank limitations. These tight and compact tanks can also affect the orcas’ mental and physical health (Negrin).

Whereas their living situation influences their mental and physical health, their social environment is also a contribution. Orcas are social creatures by nature that live in families/pods and when taken captive these bonds are forcefully broken. Forced into man-made pods it can lead into high levels of stress. This stress can lower the immune system of whales leaving them more susceptible to infection (Negrin).

While there are many cons to exhibiting orcas in marine parks and aquariums there are also pros. Orcas in captivity offer a form of entertainment as well as an educational experience. Animals such as these especially at such a massive size would be difficult to view at such close contact in the wild. People and children can learn to appreciate the beauty of these animals even if it is in captivity (Tierney).

Together as consumers we need to come together and consider if the pros outweigh the cons while also asking the question: is it worth it? Is the viewing entertainment and educational experience worth how orcas have been living in marine parks and aquariums? No, it isn’t. Is it worth the pain they may have felt after being taken captive from their pods because it isn’t. Orcas should not be exhibited in marine parks and aquariums doing so has become detrimental to their health.

I believe that we need to raise awareness and support for these animals. Not enough people are aware of the circumstance that orcas have been living in. Together if we can get enough people that informed about orcas in these parks then we start to oppose places that exhibit them.

With enough support opposing marine parks and aquariums would have a much greater effect than with a small group of people. Refusing to attend these sea parks would would pressure companies to notice and take action. By taking action we can best advise to make a change that would better the lives of these animals but this can only be done together.