>training marine mammals with positive reinforcement for shows is enriching and beneficial for the animal

This isn't a hot take, it's a bad and dumb take.

The study says that they get excited for rewards in an environment that they've become comfortable in, that does NOT equate to longer and healthier lives, and will only apply in captive situations where the animals are well maintained and cared for - this is NOT the average in the many thousands of marine mammal shows across the world. And this study is specifically looking at if performing in shows is stressful, not their overall quality of life.

Yes, someone can be happy and comfortable in captivity if someone is given enough stimulation and activities and rewards. Doesn't make it "Not prison" only that the conditions can be made to be acceptable during certain activities.

>"The average survival time in captivity for all bottlenose dolphin individuals who lived more than one year is 12 years, 9 months and 8 days – much lower than the wild where they live to between 30 and 50 years."