When a baby dolphin is born in captivity, the news is usually kept secret until the calf shows signs of survival. Although marine mammals do breed in captivity, the birth rate is not nearly as successful as the one in the wild, with high infant mortality rates. Wild dolphins can swim 40 to 100 miles per day - in pools they go around in circles. Many marine parks subject their mammals to hunger so they will perform for their food. Jumping through hoops, tailwalking and playing ball are trained behaviors that do not occur in the wild.
Dolphins are predators of fish and spend up to half of their time in the wild hunting for food.
Supplying dead fish results in less exercise and lack of mental stimulation, thus causing boredom. When trapped together, males often become agitated and domineering. In the ocean, although fights are not unknown, the wild dolphins have a chance to escape. Dolphinariums in general claim that their mission is to protect dolphins in the wild through research and public education. Those are nice words but facts speak louder.