Dolphins trapped in tiny tank at Mexican resort sparks outrage

By Ottilie Von Henning

Heart-breaking video shows dolphins stuck in a small tank in Mexico just meters away from the sea.

Hotel Barcelo in Riviera Maya has been open since 2019 and offers guests a chance to swim with the dolphins and watch them perform synchronized tricks.

But UrgentSeas, a non-profit organization focused on freeing captive sea animals, has called for its boycott and for the release of the dolphins, which it says are being held in "Latin America's smallest dolphin tank".

Footage captured by the organization shows dolphins floating aimlessly in the pool due to severely limited space and stimulation.

The concrete pool where the animals live is located just meters away from the Caribbean Sea and is only two meters deep, leaving the dolphins exposed to constant sunlight which can burn their skin.

UrgentSeas also says that two dolphins recently died at the hotel, only to be quickly replaced by others.

Philip Demers, UrgentSeas co-founder and executive director, said: "Dolphins are wide ranging, emotionally complex, social animals that live their entire natural lives in large family pods.

"To see them separated from family and forced to perform for food in the most unsustainable, tiny tank is just heart-breaking.

"The dimensions of the tank offer no reprieve from the sun, and the fact that it’s a mere few meters from the ocean makes this entire situation more gut-wrenching.

"Imagine seeing and smelling the ocean, a.k.a. freedom, while simultaneously being treated like a jailed criminal.

"Shame on Hotel Barcelo. The dolphins deserve better."

The hotel has been contacted for a comment.