Captive whales and dolphins
- Born Free is determined to end the out-dated exploitation of such an intelligent creature
At least 19 different species of cetacean are currently held in captivity around the world, including over 800 bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Captive dolphins have become a regular feature in tourist resorts. A trained bottlenose dolphin can generate $1 million a year.
Dolphins bred in captivity do not sustain their numbers. Therefore they are frequently captured from the wild and sold into captivity. Wild dolphins are a wide-ranging animals with complex social networks and hunting behaviour which the captive environment is unable to provide for. Many suffer from behavioural abnormalities, illness and premature death.
For more information, download our fact sheets on Dolphins in captivity and Swimming with dolphins.
Dolphins in Captivity
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Factsheet on dolphins in captivity |
114 K |
Swim-with facilities
There are at least 78 facilities worldwide offering the opportunity for members of the public to swim with dolphins; 71% of these are in North America and the Caribbean, holding at least 730 bottlenose dolphins in captivity.
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Factsheet on swimming with dolphins. |
79 K |
Dolphinaria in Europe
There are approximately 42 facilities exhibiting captive whales and dolphins in Europe, at least six of which provide some form of swim-with programme.
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For an overview of the facilities and standards of care in European countries currently known to be keeping cetaceans in captivity. |
103 K |
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Read about why there are no dolphinaria in the UK. |
26 K |
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