Tell SeaWorld Orlando: Retire Dolphins and Whales to Seaside Sanctuaries
Tell SeaWorld Orlando: Retire Dolphins and Whales to Seaside Sanctuaries
The Issue
For decades, SeaWorld Orlando has profited off the captivity of some of the ocean’s most intelligent and emotionally complex animals. But the science is now undeniable: keeping dolphins and whales confined in concrete tanks causes profound physical and psychological harm.
A new comprehensive review of marine mammal captivity confirms what animal advocates and scientists have long warned—no tank, no matter how large or high-tech, can ever meet the needs of cetaceans. These animals evolved to swim vast distances, dive deep, and form dynamic, lifelong social bonds in the open ocean. Instead, at SeaWorld, they’re trapped in barren enclosures, forced to perform for crowds, and denied basic freedoms like choosing their companions or mates.
SeaWorld may have ended its orca-breeding program, but the exploitation hasn’t stopped. Dolphins and smaller whales are still being bred in captivity, used in performances, and subjected to lives that bear no resemblance to their natural world. Chronic stress, social conflict, self-harming behaviors, and even premature deaths are all documented outcomes of life in captivity.
Florida can and should lead the way toward a better future for these animals. It's time for SeaWorld Orlando to end captive performances and commit to transitioning its dolphins and whales to seaside sanctuaries—places where they can feel ocean currents, engage in more natural behaviors, and finally live with dignity.
This isn't about closing SeaWorld. It's about evolving. Tourists, families, and Floridians are ready to support compassionate alternatives. True sanctuaries offer a win-win: ethical wildlife care and meaningful education without cruelty.
We call on SeaWorld Orlando leadership and Florida’s regulatory agencies, including the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, to work together on a retirement plan for all captive dolphins and whales currently held at the park. These animals deserve more than a tank. They deserve the sea.
Sign now to demand a future where marine mammals are respected, not exploited.
488
The Issue
For decades, SeaWorld Orlando has profited off the captivity of some of the ocean’s most intelligent and emotionally complex animals. But the science is now undeniable: keeping dolphins and whales confined in concrete tanks causes profound physical and psychological harm.
A new comprehensive review of marine mammal captivity confirms what animal advocates and scientists have long warned—no tank, no matter how large or high-tech, can ever meet the needs of cetaceans. These animals evolved to swim vast distances, dive deep, and form dynamic, lifelong social bonds in the open ocean. Instead, at SeaWorld, they’re trapped in barren enclosures, forced to perform for crowds, and denied basic freedoms like choosing their companions or mates.
SeaWorld may have ended its orca-breeding program, but the exploitation hasn’t stopped. Dolphins and smaller whales are still being bred in captivity, used in performances, and subjected to lives that bear no resemblance to their natural world. Chronic stress, social conflict, self-harming behaviors, and even premature deaths are all documented outcomes of life in captivity.
Florida can and should lead the way toward a better future for these animals. It's time for SeaWorld Orlando to end captive performances and commit to transitioning its dolphins and whales to seaside sanctuaries—places where they can feel ocean currents, engage in more natural behaviors, and finally live with dignity.
This isn't about closing SeaWorld. It's about evolving. Tourists, families, and Floridians are ready to support compassionate alternatives. True sanctuaries offer a win-win: ethical wildlife care and meaningful education without cruelty.
We call on SeaWorld Orlando leadership and Florida’s regulatory agencies, including the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, to work together on a retirement plan for all captive dolphins and whales currently held at the park. These animals deserve more than a tank. They deserve the sea.
Sign now to demand a future where marine mammals are respected, not exploited.
488
The Decision Makers
Petition created on November 20, 2025