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A captive orca swimming alone in a glass tank.

Tank Free

Working together to end the exploitation of whales, dolphins, and porpoises in captivity.

Our Tank Free campaign aims to raise awareness about the plight of captive whales, dolphins, and porpoises (collectively known as cetaceans) and to appeal to those thinking of visiting a dolphinarium or swim-with facility not to buy a ticket.

The overwhelming majority of experts agree that these highly intelligent and socially complex animals fare badly in captivity, and in many countries the public is increasingly rejecting the idea that keeping cetaceans in captivity is an acceptable form of entertainment. Nevertheless, the exploitation of captive cetaceans continues. Approximately 3,600 cetaceans continue to languish in captivity across the world.

We want the keeping of whales, dolphins and porpoises in captivity to be phased out, and for tour operators and travel companies to stop selling and promoting their cruel exploitation.

Watch our Tank Free video below, find out more and see how you can help. ⬇️

 

Why is captivity bad for cetaceans?

❌ Captive facilities can never replicate the complex environment that cetaceans have evolved to live in.

❌ They are typically forced to live in small, featureless, over-crowded tanks or pools of chemically treated water or shallow sea pens.

❌ Boredom and mental stress often leads to abnormal behaviour, and the administration of drugs to control it.

❌ They typically suffer physical damage such as tooth trauma and injuries from biting and hitting the sides of their concrete pools. They also suffer reduced resistance to disease and premature death.

❌ Captive cetaceans are often forced to breed or subjected to artificial insemination. High infant mortality and reduced survival rates are common.

FIND OUT MORE

Two people crouching down next to the side of a pool, next to a dolphin who is being made to pose for a photo.

Do you agree exploiting cetaceans for entertainment is wrong?

Show your support by signing our ‘Say No to Selfish Selfies’ Pledge, and refuse to be a part of the exploitation of captive cetaceans and other wild animals as photo props.

sign the pledge

WHAT ARE THE ISSUES?

A photo of a man holding onto a dolphin's fin, while it swims around a chlorinated pool.

  • Swim-with and in-water interactions with captive dolphins are often billed as a once in a lifetime opportunity, but they mask a lifetime of animal suffering.
  • They are frequently confined to small pools away from public view or held in netted-off sea pens close to shore.
  • Injuries to animals from human fingernails and jewellery, and irritation of their sensitive skin and eyes from water contaminated by make-up, perfume, and sunscreen, are common.
  • The risk of injury to people swimming with dolphins is high, through bites, bruises, scratches, and even broken bones. Participants also risk contracting ‘zoonotic’ diseases, spread through close contact such as dolphin kissing and via contaminated water.

FIND OUT MORE

A photo of an orca leaping backwards out of a pool, in front of an audience.

  • Animals may be forced to perform in public shows and displays several times a day.
  • Performed tricks rarely mimic the animals’ natural behaviour, as is often claimed by trainers.
  • They are trained to perform ‘circus-style’ tricks on demand, such as spinning hoops, balancing balls, jumps, back-flips, summersaults, and ‘tail walks’, often accompanied by loud music or commentary.
  • Interaction with trainers, including dorsal pulls and rostrum (nose) pushes, can cause physical stress and injuries to their sensitive skin, and have led to many injuries and even the death of the trainers themselves.

A photo of a family crouching down next to a dolphin which is lying on the tiled area next to a swimming pool. The people's faces are blurred.

  • Dolphins and beluga whales are frequently used as money-making ‘props’ for souvenir photos and selfies.
  • Surrounded by groups of swimmers, animals are typically forced to stay still and to pose for photos.
  • They are often forced to beach themselves on the side of the pool, so that queues of people can stand next to them for photos.
  • They experience stressful noise, crowds, movements, and camera flashes.

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How you can help

Don’t visit facilities displaying captive cetaceans.

Don’t take part in cetacean swim-withs or interactions.

Don’t go to captive cetacean shows or displays.

Do report it and speak out whenever you encounter captive cetaceans.

Eyewitness reports help to raise awareness and identify specific instances of animal exploitation. Authorities and decision makers need to act now to end the suffering.

Report it and speak out.

Do express your concerns.

Contact tour operators, travel companies, hotels, and other businesses who continue to promote and/or sell captive cetacean activities. Hearing directly from their customers and the concerned public is so important and can help to ensure that animal welfare remains high on their agenda.

A photo of an orca leaping backwards out of a pool as part of a show.

Have you seen a whale, dolphin or porpoise suffering in captivity?

You can help by using our Raise the Red Flag platform to submit a report of what you’ve seen, so we can raise more awareness and help fight the keeping of cetaceans in captivity.

SUBMIT A REPORT

FURTHER INFORMATION:

DOLPHINARIA & CAPTIVE CETACEAN FAQS