The Five Freedoms

• Freedom from Hunger and Thirst
• Freedom from Discomfort
• Freedom from Pain, Injury or Disease
• Freedom to Express Normal Behaviours
• Freedom from Fear and Distress

Welfare Issues in Captive Cetaceans

Cetaceans are incredibly migratory and international creatures that are used to travelling great distances in the ocean. When in captivity, their mobility is restricted by their relatively tiny tanks, which is very different from their wide native habitat and may lead to stress and physical health problems.

A large number of cetaceans inhabit elaborate social groupings with complex interpersonal dynamics and communication styles. These social systems are frequently upset by captivity because animals from different groups or pods are sometimes forced to live together. On the other side of the spectrum, some cetacean individuals are forced to live in isolation and will experience social stress along with exhibiting stereotypic behaviours.

Cetaceans exhibit a variety of behaviours in the wild, such as deep diving, hunting, and socializing. These natural actions are severely restricted in captivity, which results in boredom, dissatisfaction, and the emergence of stereotypical behaviours—repetitive, inflexible acts devoid of a clear purpose or function.

Dental problems from biting on tank enclosures, skin issues from chemically treated water, and stress-related ailments are among the health challenges captive cetaceans frequently experience as these illnesses are not typically seen in the wild. Concerns are also raised by the dependence on medicine to treat stress and other medical conditions in captivity.

Artificial insemination or forced breeding may be the outcome of captive breeding initiatives. The natural link and learning process between calves and their mothers may be disrupted if separation occurs at an early age. This can have long-term behavioural and psychological implications on both mother and calf.

Ethical Concerns

The moral objection against keeping cetaceans in captivity emphasizes the wrongness of denying sentient creatures their freedom and independence. Because of their highly developed cognitive capacities, cetaceans may possess a degree of consciousness and self-awareness that makes them entitled to rights comparable to those of humans (Dold & Mellen, 2013).

Although some believe that captive breeding operations support conservation efforts, critics claim that marine parks' main goals are profit and entertainment rather than the welfare or protection of the species. There is disagreement over the educational benefits of viewing cetaceans in captivity due to worries that the public may receive a false impression of these animals' life (Dold & Mellen, 2013).

Both the individuals taken and their family groupings that are left in the wild experience stress when wild cetaceans are collected for exhibit at marine parks. There are several ethical concerns about taking these gregarious animals out of their natural habitat and social networks (Dold & Mellen, 2013).

The argument for keeping cetaceans in captivity for human amusement or education is called into question by the moral precept that states that they have an intrinsic right to exist freely in their natural habitat (Dold & Mellen, 2013).