Profepa Reopens Debate Over Marine Mammal Euthanasia, Reviving Case of Cancún Dolphins

Cancún, Quintana Roo — Mexico’s federal environmental enforcement agency, Profepa, has reignited debate over whether euthanasia should be an option for marine mammals with terminal illnesses or irreversible suffering, bringing renewed scrutiny to nine dolphins still housed at the closed Dolphin Discovery Ventura Park in Cancún.

Gustavo Ampugnani, Profepa’s director of inspection and oversight for wildlife, marine resources and coastal ecosystems, said in an interview with the newspaper Milenio that euthanasia could only be considered in exceptional cases, based on veterinary and animal-welfare criteria. He argued the scenario deserved analysis in specific situations.

Animal welfare organizations rejected the possibility, saying that after years of exploitation for entertainment, the animals should be cared for and that alternatives should be explored to prioritize their well-being.

Óscar Rébora Aguilera, head of Quintana Roo’s Ecology and Environment Department (Sema), said the dolphins are in good condition.

The controversy has resurfaced just over a year after Mexico’s “Mincho Law” took effect, banning the use of marine mammals in shows. The law is named after Mincho, a 38-year-old dolphin that suffered a heavy impact against concrete during a performance in 2020 while coping with blindness and cancer. That case prompted the reform, but activists say conditions for captive marine mammals remain a concern.

Ventura Park’s dolphinarium was closed by Profepa in October 2025. The nine dolphins still there have become the focus of public attention. Specialists say the issue goes beyond this facility, reflecting broader challenges in Mexico over the fate of marine mammals held in human care.

For decades, Mexican dolphinariums bred these species for entertainment. Experts agree that returning the animals directly to the ocean is rarely a viable option, since many were born in captivity or have spent most of their lives under human care and lack the skills needed to survive in the wild.

Rébora has proposed creating a specialized marine sanctuary in Cozumel, where the animals could remain in larger enclosures with minimal human interaction.

The situation has been compounded by the financial crisis of The Dolphin Company, parent company of Dolphin Discovery, which began bankruptcy proceedings in the United States in 2025. That has deepened uncertainty over the future of its parks and the animals under its care.

No authority had announced a decision to euthanize the nine dolphins at Ventura Park as of the latest reports. Civil organizations continue to monitor the case and demand that any decision be based on scientific, veterinary and animal-welfare criteria.