There is a new and growing problem with captive whales:  It can endanger the life of the whale, play havoc with the routine of an aquarium or oceanarium, destroy the nerves of most managers and erode the credibility of marine mammal veterinarians. The problem is the activities of some pressure groups.

A recent incident involving four young killer whales collected in Iceland and destined for oceanariums in Canada, Japan, and the U.S. illustrates the ramifications of such activities on the safe transport and health of these very valuable animals.