Arguments For

Arguments Against

• We keep pets in captivity, why not whales?
• When more people see them, more people will want them protected.
• Whales are not harmed when they are separated from their pods.
• Whales are well cared for with good food and excellent medical attention.
• Living in the wild is dangerous for many whales.
• Keeping whales in a safe aquarium allows us to find out scientific facts that will help save numerous whales in the wild.
• Killer whales have been known to bond with their captors and seemingly enjoy their company.
   

• Keeping whales in captivity harms them as they don't live the length they do in the wild.  In fact, most captive killer whales only live around five years, in comparison to sixty-five years in the wild!  Few calves born in captivity have survived to adulthood.
• The environment we provide our captive killer whales with is far too small!  In the wild, killer whales will travel up to 100 kilometers a day, to hunt or locate members of their pod.  Imagine being trapped in your bedroom for your entire life!
• It is not kind to whales to make them perform circus acts.
• Has the suffering of captive orcas proven beneficial to the wild killer whale population.
• Killer whales need to be with their pods in the ocean in order to socialize and live complete lives.

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