Some die from the shock of their experience. Others slowly succumb to pneumonia caused by water entering their lungs through their blowholes. In the wild, orcas and dolphins may swim up to 100 miles a day. Wild orcas and dolphins can stay underwater for up to 30 minutes at a time, and they typically spend only 10 to 20 percent of their time at the water's surface. But because the tanks in marine parks are so shallow, captive orcas and dolphins spend more than half of their time at the surface.
Dolphins navigate by echolocation.
They bounce sonar waves off other objects to determine shape, density, distance, and location. Tanks are kept clean with chlorine, copper sulfate, and other harsh chemicals that irritate dolphins' eyes, causing many to swim with their eyes closed. Newly captured dolphins and orcas are also forced to learn tricks. Former trainers say that withholding food and isolating animals who refuse to perform are two common training methods. The stress is so great that some commit suicide.