Heather Rally

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
• Medical Professional at Foundation to Support Animal Protection (PETA Foundation)

Although the well-being of elephants in captivity is of paramount importance, the confinement of these long-lived, highly intelligent, and socially complex animals continues to present significant challenges. Here, we provide an overview of the current state of elephant confinement (primarily in the West) by examining captive facilities, improvemen...

The present review assesses the potential neural impact of impoverished, captive environments on large-brained mammals, with a focus on elephants and cetaceans. These species share several characteristics, including being large, wide-ranging, long-lived, cognitively sophisticated, highly social, and large-brained mammals. Although the impact of the...

Orcas are large, deep-diving cetaceans who are known for their global distribution, wide-ranging behavior, intelligence, and social complexity. They possess one of the largest and most complex brains in the mammalian kingdom. However, they are the third most common species of cetaceans kept in aquariums and marine theme parks. Most spend many years...

Orcas are large, deep-diving cetaceans who are known for their global distribution, wide-ranging behavior, intelligence, and social complexity. They possess one of the largest and most complex brains in the mammalian kingdom. However, they are the third most common species of cetaceans kept in aquariums and marine theme parks. Most spend many years...

Dolphins at SeaWorld are confined to artificial, highly unnatural environments that prevent them from performing even the most basic, biologically driven behavior and routinely expose them to damaging psychological trauma, social stress, and physical injury. Their well-being is compromised when they are exposed to excessive anthropogenic noise and...

In recent years, increasing public concern has emerged within the general public and scientific communities over the detrimental effects of captive maintenance on the health and welfare of cetaceans. There is widespread agreement that the medical records of cetaceans held in captivity are a source of important information that can shed light on the...