We are pleased to report that the dolphin facility at Barceló Maya Grand Resort in Mexico, operated by Dolphinaris and owned by the Dolphin Company, has permanently closed. This follows a dedicated awareness campaign by colleagues at Dolphin Freedom, exposing serious welfare issues for the dolphins. Marine Connection supported their efforts by contacting Mexico’s Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (PROFEPA) with concerns, including the injuries sustained by dolphin Mincho and also the death of two other dolphins in 2024, Alex and Plata (wild caught from the Solomon Islands in 2003).
PROFEPA announced the closure on May 12, with Dolphinaris also being fined $350,000. Despite this good news, what will happen to the remaining dolphins at Barceló Maya is currently unknown; however, as the company owns many other dolphin facilities, the marine mammals will be moved elsewhere. We will continue to work with colleagues in Mexico and the UK, updates will be posted as further news becomes available.
