An International Online Survey on Public Attitudes Towards the Keeping of Whales and Dolphins in Captivity

Abstract

In 2015, an international online survey was conducted to investigate public attitudes on keeping cetaceans in captivity (N = 858). Respondents were significantly (p < 0.001) more likely to be opposed to displaying dolphins and whales in marine theme parks and aquariums (opposed to captive display: 54.4%; support captive display: 45.5%). Only 5% of respondents from the US stated they "strongly support" (with 33.3% "support") keeping dolphins and whales in marine theme parks and aquariums, while 21% of participants from India did so (43.4% "support"). Participants that support cetaceans in captivity were significantly more likely to believe cetacean conservation is not important. Six times as many respondents (or 86%) preferred to view cetaceans in the wild via whale watching (61% preferring boat based, 25% land based) versus in captivity. Respondents from the US were less likely to prefer watching cetaceans in a marine theme park (9%) than those from India (26%). Almost 80% of respondents objected to capturing free-ranging dolphins and whales for display in zoos and aquariums. Only 19% of respondents indicated approval for dolphins performing shows involving tricks for human enjoyment, while 85% supported keeping dolphins in captivity when they are sick or injured. Eighty percent supported captive research that benefited conservation of free-ranging populations, dropping to 60% when the research supported the development of captive husbandry methods. Seventy percent of participants were opposed to keeping cetaceans in concrete tanks, versus 53% who were opposed to sea pen enclosures as well. Respondents who believed dolphin and whale conservation was not important were significantly more likely to oppose keeping captive dolphins for research benefiting conservation in the wild. Moreover, respondents who felt dolphin and whale conservation was only "slightly important" were significantly more like to support keeping captive cetaceans for entertainment purposes.