02/05/2026
Orcas are extraordinary beings. âš
They can swim up to 40 miles a day and dive hundreds of feet deep.đ
They live within tight-knit family groups that share complex cultures passed down through generations. đ”
Their intelligence is rooted in social bonds, communication, and self-awareness.đ§
When they travel the ocean, they rely on:
-echolocation, getting detailed information about their surroundings
-hearing, processing sounds up to 200 kHz (when itâs only 20 kHz for humans)
-vision, adapting to the blue-green spectrum of lightÂ
-touch, exploring objects or gently rubbing or nudging each other
-and biomagnetism, using the Earthâs magnetic fields to orient themselves in the ocean
In captivity, their sensory experiences are severely restricted.
Confined spaces strip them of movement, purpose, and connection. Studies have shown that many captive orcas suffer severe tooth damage due to stress and boredom.
In tanks, orcas lack stimulation and are exposed to loud music, screams, and constant noise from pumps. They often swim in endless circles or float motionless at the surface.
Many captive cetaceans die young due to stress, boredom, and a likely suppressed immune system. In the wild, they can live up to 80 years.
Orcas are genetically built to roam, hunt, and live freely across vast oceans. Whether born in the wild or in captivity, they simply cannot thrive in confinement.
Do you want to take concrete action to protect cetaceans and end their exploitation? Join our next online yoga class on Wednesday, May 6, at 6:30 p.m.! This class will be in English. Registration is by donation to the OneVoice association, which advocates for the freedom of Wikie and Keijo and oppose dolphinarium captivity.Â
â
To register, visit our linktr.ee.
Find all the resources used for this post and clickable links on our linktr.ee.