Environmentalists Warn of Sick Dolphins in Quintana Roo

Puerto Aventuras, Quintana Roo — Environmentalists are warning about the conditions of dolphins held at facilities across the state, with a particular focus on Puerto Aventuras, where water tests have found contamination and an estimated 40 dolphins could be suffering from illness.

Araceli Domínguez, president of the environmental group Grupo Gema del Mayab, said that although Profepa, the federal environmental protection agency, has placed some dolphins under its care, other sites remain a cause for concern.

“Puerto Aventuras is not exactly a pool, but a kind of canal that doesn’t have enough current from the sea. We already ran water analyses and it’s completely contaminated. They have between 30 and 40 dolphins there,” she said. **

Domínguez said the organization has found that facilities where dolphins are still used in performances are not providing adequate conditions, leading to various health problems.

“In many other places it’s the same. They all have stomach problems, skin issues, eye problems. Those in the pool are in very bad shape,” she said.

The activist acknowledged that Profepa is doing its part to safeguard the dolphins’ welfare, but said the owners of captive dolphins are the ones failing to provide proper care.

“They are not complying with the standards. They are entirely responsible for the physical condition of these dolphins. In this case, they are environmental criminals. Animal abuse carries a prison sentence, so what they are doing is a crime,” she said.

Regarding nine dolphins at Dolphin Discovery Ventura Park that have varying degrees of illness, Domínguez said that although Profepa has them in custody, the owners are responsible for their health.

“The only ones responsible for animal abuse are precisely the owners of these dolphins. Some are in very delicate condition, some with cancer, others with eye problems. Mincho is blind; he lost his sight after a blow, and they have very serious problems,” she said.

She also noted that nearly a year ago, a law banned the opening of new dolphinariums and prohibited the acquisition and reproduction of dolphins for captivity, making this generation the last to be held in confinement.

“But that doesn’t mean they can mistreat them and let them get to the point they’re at now because of disease and the abuse committed against them,” she said.

Domínguez urged the public not to attend shows at parks that still offer dolphin performances, saying the animals are not suited for captivity or performing tricks, which causes them suffering throughout their lives.

** The actual number of dolphins being kept in Puerto Aventuras has not been confirmed but reports put the numbers closer to 10-15.