Dolphins Rescued at Abandoned Cancún Water Park

Cancún, Quintana Roo — State and federal environmental authorities have confirmed the inspection and rescue of nine dolphins found at the former site of a water park in Cancún’s hotel zone, following public complaints that the animals were being kept in abandonment after the attraction closed earlier this year.

Óscar Rébora Aguilera, head of Quintana Roo’s Secretariat of Ecology and Environment (SEMA), said the operation was carried out in coordination with the Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (Profepa) after reports circulated on social media alleging that the dolphins had been left unattended in a pool since the entertainment center shut down in January.

“We went together with Profepa for an ocular verification visit to check that the dolphins were in optimal conditions, that they were not abandoned, because there was a complaint on social media that the dolphins appeared abandoned,” Rébora explained. “So basically we asked to speak with Profepa and requested that they accompany us to conduct this review.”

During the inspection, veterinarians from both agencies entered the facilities to evaluate the dolphins’ health and provide immediate attention. While authorities have confirmed that the animals are now under official care and supervision, Rébora noted that the full assessment of the conditions in which they were found has not yet concluded.

The dolphins will remain at the site for now, he said, due to an ongoing legal process involving Dolphin Discovery, the company that operated the dolphinarium. “They will stay there until the process ends, because right now it is a litigation,” Rébora stated. He added that while the dolphinarium remains under temporary closure for alleged irregularities, it is required to submit regular reports—every three days—on water quality and animal care. Once the legal process concludes, authorities will determine whether the facility may reopen or if the dolphins must be relocated to another site with appropriate conditions.

Dolphin Discovery has issued a statement denying that the dolphins were abandoned and affirming that they receive specialized, ongoing care.

The case unfolds amid stricter enforcement of reforms to Mexico’s General Wildlife Law—commonly referred to as the “Mincho Law”—which bans the captive breeding, commercial use, and entertainment shows involving dolphins and other marine mammals nationwide. The reform requires existing dolphinariums to transition into sanctuaries or research centers, although several operators, including those in Quintana Roo, have filed legal challenges to contest the changes.

State and federal officials say inspections will continue as part of permanent oversight efforts to ensure compliance with the law and safeguard the welfare of marine mammals in captivity.