Dolphin in small tank behind rusty bars - World Animal Protection

Dolphins in captivity endure seven stages of suffering in their tragic lives

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Over 3,000 dolphins are currently trapped in cruel captive conditions at tourist entertainment venues around the world. They can live for over 50 years in a deeply miserable cycle of suffering, all to profit the multibillion-dollar dolphin tourism industry

Behind every captive dolphin’s smile is trauma.

We’re looking forward to a future where we can travel again, but as tourism returns the cruelty must not.

This is why we’re relaunching our campaign to demand Expedia Group stops profiting from dolphin cruelty.

Expedia Group, one of the world’s largest travel companies, markets itself as a ‘force for good’. But how can this be true when the venues they promote hold dolphins cruelly captive for tourist entertainment?

Expedia Group is supporting an industry literally built on suffering.

Once you’ve read through the seven stages of suffering, and seen the reality captive dolphins live through, we urge you to share this article on social media, tag @Expedia Group and use the hashtag #NotEntertainers.

Join the pod and together we can make this the last generation of dolphins in captivity.

Stage one

Most dolphins in the tourism industry are bred in captivity, instantly born into a long life of constant misery just so the travel industry and individuals can make a profit.

7 stages of dolphin suffering - World Animal Protection

Stage two

Dolphin calves are separated from their mothers at a very young age which is distressing and traumatising for both mother and baby.

7 stages of dolphin suffering - World Animal Protection

 

Stage three

Captive dolphins are kept in permanent tanks 200,000 times smaller than their home range in the wild.

7 stages of dolphin suffering - World Animal Protection

 

Stage four

The smooth, featureless tanks dolphins are confined in give them no mental stimulation, no way to act out their natural behaviours and no place to retreat from staring tourists.

7 stages of dolphin suffering - World Animal Protection

 

Stage five

Dolphins are deprived of food as a training method, meaning they’re left with little choice but to perform for frozen dead fish.

7 stages of dolphin suffering - World Animal Protection

 

Stage six

Many captive dolphins grind their teeth down, bob their heads, and swim in circles due to the unnatural, stressful captive conditions.

7 stages of dolphin suffering - World Animal Protection

 

Stage seven

Captive dolphins can live for over 50 years, repeating a cruel cycle of frustration, stress and misery for decades until their tragic lives end.

7 stages of dolphin suffering - World Animal Protection

Help us end the suffering and support a dolphin friendly future where dolphins are living wild and free as they should be.

Please share these seven stages of suffering and demand Expedia Group do the right thing for dolphins. Remember to tag @Expedia Group and use the hashtag #NotEntertainers.

Expedia Group is supporting an industry literally built on suffering.