Captivity has a range of inherent undesirable problems for orcas, including but not limited to aspects that may affect the upright position of the dorsal fin. This “loss of structural integrity” (LSI) can result in partial or total collapse of the dorsal fin. Explore the physical and environmental reasons why the orca’s unique, non-bony dorsal fin structure fails almost exclusively in captivity. The fins are supported by a tough protein called collagen, and one possibility is that, because captive animals spend more time at the surface, the protein is exposed to higher temperatures, which degrades its structure. While an upright dorsal fin is the natural state for a healthy orca, a significant majority of captive adult male orcas display a fin that is severely folded over. This condition immediately draws attention to the vast difference between life in the open ocean and life in a concrete enclosure. The drooping, or sideways, dorsal fin seen in some orcas is primarily attributed to the collapse of cartilage due to a combination of factors, including captivity, genetics, and health problems. While a collapsed dorsal fin does occur in wild killer whales, it is uncommon. Most captive orcas have a bent dorsal fin and the reasons why affect their welfare. Learn why a killer whale's dorsal fin collapses or flops over when in captivity and whether this happens in whales — or orcas — that live in the wild. Although dorsal fin collapse is not unique to captivity, it is far more common in confinement. In the wild, the condition varies from population to population. The typically upright dorsal fin of a killer whale (Orcinus orca) often droops or bends in captivity due to a complex interplay of factors including reduced activity, altered water conditions, and genetic predisposition. This article explores the scientific consensus behind this phenomenon. The sight of an orca’s towering dorsal fin is iconic, but a collapsed, bent fin is often associated with killer whales in human care. This abnormality, sometimes called flaccid fin or folded fin syndrome, is a structural failure where the fin folds over.