Depressed Dolphin Lying Motionless in Tank Shows the Real Cost of Captivity (VIDEO)

When we think of dolphins, we typically imagine highly energetic animals who love to jump out of the water and do flips. With a perpetual smile on their face, dolphins could easily be perceived as the most habitually happy animals on the planet. But sadly, this is not the case when it comes to captive dolphins.

This video shows the heartbreaking reality of what happens to dolphins when they are taken from the wild and forced into small tanks for the sake of our own entertainment: in short, extreme depression and frustration. 

Posted on Facebook by Lorri Crockett, this short video features a dolphin at Sea Life Park in Oahu, Hawaii. Crockett explains that the behavior the dolphin is exhibiting is called “logging” where the animal will float motionless for seemingly no reason at all. At the end of the video, the dolphin’s head listlessly bobs up and down. This is hardly the vivacious animal you would expect.

When we take animals from their wild habitats and put them in artificial enclosures it causes them deep mental and physical distress. Could you imagine going from swimming 100 miles a day in the company of friends and family to being locked in a fish bowl? Sounds pretty terrible, huh? The boredom and frustration of life in a tank has led dolphins to exhibit stereotypic behaviors such as swimming in circles repetitively and establishing pecking orders. Dolphins have also been known to slam themselves against the sides of tanks. In absolute desperation, these animals can also choose to consciously stop breathing and end their own lives.

We can all help end this cruelty to dolphins and all marine animals by refusing to attend marine parks or any facility that holds them captive. The best way to stop this industry is to cut off the funds. Together, we can help #EmptyTheTanks once and for all!