Animal rights groups, including PETA, have condemned SeaWorld for the death of Notchfin, a 63-year-old bottlenose dolphin held in captivity at SeaWorld San Antonio. Notchfin had been in captivity since 1975, first at SeaWorld San Diego and later at SeaWorld San Antonio. Despite surpassing the average life expectancy for bottlenose dolphins in captivity, concerns about her quality of life persisted. Animal rights groups criticized SeaWorld's breeding programs, arguing that they perpetuate exploitation under the guise of conservation.

Notchfin's death has reignited criticism of marine mammal captivity, with PETA claiming that she deserved more than a life of being used as a breeding machine and trapped in marine parks. The article highlights the ethical concerns surrounding keeping cetaceans in captivity and calls for an end to supporting wild animals in captivity.