Operation 404: Exposing Cetacean Captivity

​Sea Shepherd’s Operation 404 is a dedicated campaign aimed at exposing the harsh realities of cetacean captivity and advocating for the freedom of these intelligent marine mammals. Through undercover investigations and public awareness efforts, Operation 404 seeks to shed light on the physical and psychological suffering endured by dolphins, orcas, and whales confined in marine parks and aquariums worldwide.​

Cetaceans—such as dolphins, orcas, and whales—are highly intelligent, social creatures that, in the wild, swim up to 40 miles a day, forging complex relationships within their pods. Their advanced cognitive abilities, attributed to an additional paralimbic lobe in their brains, enable them to process emotions at a high level, experiencing pain, stress, and heartbreak much like humans do. In captivity, these animals are confined to tanks no larger than swimming pools, isolated from their families, leading to compromised health, unnatural behaviors, and a diminished quality of life. Since the 1950s, over 5,000 cetaceans have died in captivity, with approximately 2,913 still held worldwide. ​

In December 2018, Operation 404 investigators released groundbreaking footage from the Zoo Aquarium de Madrid, revealing troubling conditions endured by the resident dolphins. The facility housed nine bottlenose dolphins, six captured from Cuban waters and three born in captivity. Reports indicated that 11 dolphins had died at the aquarium since the 1980s, with the most recent death occurring in March 2018. The investigation uncovered that two wild-caught dolphins, Lala and Guarina, were suffering from apparent skin lesions, yet were still being forced to perform. This footage was submitted to a professional veterinarian for further analysis, highlighting the urgent need for scrutiny and reform in such facilities.

Captive dolphins are exploited for profit through entertainment shows, swim-with-dolphin programs, and assisted therapy sessions. This commercial exploitation subjects them to relentless physical and mental trauma, adversely affecting their health and leading to premature deaths. The confinement and forced performances strip these sentient beings of their natural behaviors and social structures, causing immense suffering.