Explore the exciting world of bottlenose dolphins in a way you've never experienced before. Smart, playful, and found right off the coast of Florida, bottlenose dolphins are well-known ocean ambassadors here at SeaWorld.
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“SeaWorld has stopped treating dolphins like surfboards and will soon stop making trainers stand on their faces in demeaning circus-style shows.” But SeaWorld says the organization had nothing to do with the decision to phase out the dolphin stunts.
We secured an historic win against SeaWorld earlier this year when it finally agreed to end its harmful captive breeding program for killer whales. But not only does SeaWorld have no plans to set its dolphins free, it continues to breed them in captivity.
The Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society and Humane Society of the US issued a report on the topic as early as 2003, pointing out that feeding throughout the day by members of the public led to both obese and underweight dolphins, because some animals would become more aggressive than others.
SeaWorld often keeps dolphins, whales, and other animals trapped with incompatible tankmates. The tension leads to fights and even fatal injuries. Staff members drug some animals to try to relieve their endless frustration.
Confinement to tiny tanks can cause dolphins to become stressed, neurotic, and aggressive. This endangers not only other dolphins but also humans—including children—who are allowed to interact with them. At SeaWorld, children are put at risk every day when their parents pay for them to be able to touch the dolphins.
Dolphin Encounter. See how we care for our dolphins, participate in a training session, then touch a dolphin on this program. Located at Dolphin Cove®, you and your family can meet the trainers to learn about the world-class care that these animals receive and how they communicate.
In 1971, at just 9 years old, Shamu died at SeaWorld from a uterine infection and blood poisoning. In the ocean, she could have lived for up to 80 years. Even in death, SeaWorld continued exploiting Shamu—the company trademarked her name, using it to sell even more tickets to abusive orca shows.
As of September 20, 2023 there are:At least 176 orcas have died in captivity, not including 30 miscarried or still-born calves. SeaWorld holds 18 orcas in its three parks in the United States.
SeaWorld shows featuring trainers riding or standing on dolphins are now a thing of the past. In a letter to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, SeaWorld Entertainment revealed that it's halting such stunts at its parks in Orlando, San Antonio, and San Diego.
Malabar was sent from Dolphin Quest Bermuda to Epcot, then to SeaWorld Orlando then back to Epcot. These three are the only surviving dolphins, and remain at Epcot to this day. In 1993, Epcot also controversially acquired three surplus Navy dolphins for breeding purposes.
The show pools in each park are about 36–38ft in depth (about 12m). Seaworld Orlando has 2 pools about 36ft deep then 3 back pools which are probably about 25–30ft. Dolphin pools are from 12–20ft depending on exhibit.
The science makes one fact undeniably clear: wild dolphins of some species are noted for seeking out social encounters with humans. The phenomenon of lone sociable dolphins – for whom human contact appears to substitute for the company of their own kind – is documented extensively in the scientific literature.