Ric O'Barry is an American animal trainer and activist best known for his work with dolphins. He initially trained dolphins for the popular television show Flipper in the 1960s. However, after witnessing the negative effects of captivity on these intelligent creatures, he became an advocate for dolphin conservation and welfare. O'Barry founded the organization Dolphin Project in 1970, which focuses on the protection of dolphins and raising awareness about the issues they face in captivity. He has worked to expose the realities of dolphin hunting and captivity, particularly in places like Taiji, Japan, and has been involved in various documentaries and campaigns to promote dolphin rights.