Other potential causes for fin collapse may be dehydration and overheating of fin tissue due to warmer water and air temperatures, stress due to captivity or changes in diet, reduced activity that causes low blood pressure, or age.

What causes a dorsal fin to collapse?

Collapsed or collapsing dorsal fins are rare in most wild populations and usually result from a serious injury to the fin, such as from being shot or colliding with a vessel.

Why are collapsed dorsal fins bad?

A collapsed dorsal fin means the orca is unhealthy, unhappy or malnourished.In captivity, all adult male orcas have collapsed dorsal fins, which clearly is a sign that captivity is not a place for these creatures. ... Orcas have lived as targeted species for over 50 years, with 48 orcas dying at SeaWorld's three locations.