From orcas to red pandas, captive animals tragically die in zoos and aquariums across the US. Now, you can read their stories all in one place.
All animals suffer unimaginably in captivity. Whether they’re taken from the wild or bred for exploitation, animals trapped in zoos, aquariums, and other similar venues are often isolated from their families, deprived of natural behaviors, and confined to a fraction of their natural roaming space. Stripped of their freedom, they endure a life that starkly contrasts the one they were born to live.
For many captive animals, fame is forced. Put on display for gawking visitors, many captive animals become unwilling stars of the facility. Animals such as Tokitae, an orca who tragically perished last year at the infamous Miami Seaquarium after she spent more than 50 years confined in a barren concrete pool. Or Leif, a seven-year-old sitatunga, a species of antelope, who died by choking on trash at a zoo in Tennessee.
Each of these animals, robbed of their right to live freely, was an individual with a story.
Shockingly, though many exploitation venues share news on social media of famous animals who have died, the USDA does not require them to report on deaths. And many animals are often forgotten soon after they’ve passed.
We won't forget. That's why we launched these obituaries, dedicated to remembering these animals. Each obituary tells the story of an individual animal, ensuring they are not forgotten and highlighting the need for change. Please take a moment to remember these individuals who never got a chance to live the life they were meant to.
An Ethical Alternative
World Animal Protection urges everyone to avoid cruel venues that keep animals captive for entertainment. Instead, consider visiting ethical alternatives such as Wildlife Heritage Areas, where wild animals can be observed in their natural environments, free from the confines of captivity.