Is it ethical to catch a Wailord? I could see someone keeping and caring for one fi they lived in coastal Hoenn or Alola where one would have access to the open ocean, but to try and bring one along on a journey seems like it would require too much care to be feasible. Even though it’s insanely light for its size, being out of the water like some water types do must be very uncomfortable.

Well, that would depend on who you are, anonymous. If you have enough room to care for a wailord, then there’s nothing in terms of ethics that should stop you from catching a wailord. Likewise, keeping in mind that tamed water-types float, even if you were a trainer on the road, you may find that it’s easier to care for and battle with a wailord than one would think. However, if you don’t have enough space to care for one or if you battle primarily indoors, then yes, I wouldn’t recommend catching one.

Unless, of course, you happen to be the protagonist in a very specific subgenre of comedy that may or may not be highly popular with those who enjoy certain types of dubiously legal side hobbies.