[REVISION HISTORY]

Ventura Park dolphin captivity

Updated 2 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

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2026-08-13 21:54 UTC → 2026-08-31 15:25 UTC · added ~~removed~~

The Ventura Park dolphinarium in Cancún was shut down in January 2025, leaving nine dolphins – seven males and two females – under the care of Dolphin Discovery. After the closure, Mexico’s environmental authority PROFEPA took responsibility for daily veterinary care, water‑quality monitoring and health oversight while an administrative process to determine a permanent solution proceeds. By August 2026, activists continued to warn that the aging animals, many over 30 years old, suffer chronic health problems and stress from prolonged confinement. Drone footage released by the animal‑rights group Veeleaf showed the dolphins spending most of the day immobile under direct sun, receiving only a single small feeding and exhibiting stress‑related behaviors such as biting concrete walls. One dolphin, Mincho, is blind and has tongue cancer, a condition that helped inspire the “Ley Mincho,” a law banning marine‑mammal shows in Mexico. Recent reports indicate the nine dolphins – Solei, Oceanía, Mincho, Diego, Squalo, Flex, Apolo, Solomon, and Satu – face various chronic respiratory, gastrointestinal, dental, dermatological, and ocular ailments. While authorities maintain the animals are in stable condition and refute rumors of euthanasia, advocates argue current measures fall short of welfare standards. Experts note that direct release into the open ocean is not a viable option for these long-term captive animals, suggesting instead a transfer to sea pens to allow access to natural currents. A Change.org petition demanding relocation to marine pens has rapidly gained momentum, surpassing 12,500 signatures in August 2026. As of late August 2026, activists report that three of the dolphins are in critical condition. Advocates are calling on SEMARNAT and local authorities to relocate the remaining six to marine pens in Isla Mujeres or Cozumel to provide access to natural seawater and specialized veterinary care.

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