Topless protesters stand on a baggage carousel at an airport in California.

Footage shows Carolina Roberts, 52, and another animal rights activist with their bodies covered only in black and white paint to resemble whales, staging a demonstration 'against marine mammal captivity' in San Diego International Airport on March 29.

The duo had chains around their painted bodies and raising posters that urged the public to boycott SeaWorld, where an orca named Corky 'remains imprisoned'.

Carolina, a San Diego resident, said she joined forces with PETA supporters who gathered at the airport armed with signs reading 'Boycott SeaWorld'.

Together, they chanted and marched through the terminal, drawing attention to the plight of Corky and other marine animals held in captivity.

Carolina said: 'I have lived a full life, raised a family, and travelled extensively, yet Corky has spent more years than I've been alive confined to a tiny, barren concrete tank.

'It's time for SeaWorld to release Corky to a seaside sanctuary where she can swim freely and potentially reunite with her loved ones.'

Corky was captured off the coast of British Columbia in 1969 and is one of the longest-held captive orcas in the world.

Used for breeding purposes for years, none of her calves survived past 47 days, and her last pregnancy ended in miscarriage.

The protesters said: 'SeaWorld's track record with captive orcas and other marine animals has come under intense scrutiny, with over 40 orcas and 500 dolphins and whales dying prematurely in its tanks.'