Many countries are making strides in improving animal welfare, with some enacting stronger laws, banning certain practices like keeping dolphins and whales in captivity. Sadly, Cuba is not one and its government and as part of its commitment to medical tourism, has launched a new dolphin-assisted therapy programme at a facility on Cayo Guillermo, aimed at attracting overseas families with children who have neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism or ADHD. The packages include staying at the *Starfish Cayo Guillermo hotel resort with access to the nearby dolphinarium for sessions, it is 700 metres from the resort and currently holds seven bottlenose dolphins –five wild caught from Cuban waters many years ago and two captive born.
Dr. Ileana Reyes, head of the organisation’s International Sales Department at the Cuban Medical Services Marketing Agency, introduced the programme at the International Fair “Health for All 2025” and the II International Fair of Medical and Wellness Tourism, in Havana. They state that their greatest commitment is, and will always be, to life, but what about the life of the dolphins who themselves suffer with stress due to being held captive, forced to interact with paying ‘clients’? There’s no valid scientific evidence that dolphin therapy produces any long-term effects on the symptoms of any major disorders, yet dozens of facilities worldwide offer this service at a very costly price!
We do not have the right to keep dolphins under human control and turn them into therapists for the benefit of mankind.
*Owned and operated by the Blue Diamond chain, the Caribbean’s fastest-growing resort chain, with a 60+ property portfolio.
