Dozens of orcas (killer whales) are held in captivity for breeding or performance purposes. The practice of capturing and displaying orcas in exhibitions began in the 1960s, and they soon became popular attractions at public aquariums and aquatic theme parks due to their intelligence, trainability, striking appearance, playfulness, and sheer size. As of January 9, 2023, there were 55 orcas in captivity worldwide, 29 of which were captive-born.Fate of orcas in captivity At that time, there were 18 orcas in the SeaWorld parks.'Truly Amazing' 6-Year-Old Orca Whale Dies Unexpectedly at SeaWorld San Diego
