Mexico City has announced a ban on dolphinariums, giving existing locations that already hold captive dolphins six months to relocate them. The landmark vote, the first of it’s kind in Mexico, was unanimously supported by the 40 politicians in attendance and also includes sea lions.
In advance of relocating the animals to their new homes, the areas will be comprehensively assessed to ensure they match the animal’s natural environments as closely as possible.
This recent decision comes only six months after Mexico City banned all dolphin performances, swimming with dolphins activities, dolphin-assisted ‘therapy’ and scientific research in captivity.
Dolphin Discovery Six Flags Mexico, which currently holds two bottle-nosed dolphins, was rated as the sixth-worst holding pool for cetaceans in North America in a 2016 report by In Defense of Animals (IDA). The list states that “the dolphins are coerced to perform circus acts to crowds as loud music blares while audiences are misinformed that captive dolphins actually enjoy their artificial lives.” They are forced to give people rides and perform unnatural behaviors such as kissing, hugging and handshakes.
“This landmark ban will spare generations of animals from cruelty and sends a clear message that the public increasingly rejects dolphin captivity,” said Dr. Toni Frohoff, a cetacean scientist for IDA. “We thank Mexico City officials for recognising our ‘Ten Worst Tanks’ list and acting swiftly to end the abuse.”
Many countries around the world have already banned dolphinariums, including Chile, Costa Rica and Croatia.
It is well documented that cetaceans (dolphins and whales) are deeply emotional, highly intelligent, self aware animals that undergo extreme psychological stress when separated from their natural family groups and confined to tiny tanks.
We commend Mexico City for their compassion and understanding in taking this important step, and hope other cities and countries follow their lead, for the sake of the thousands of dolphins still suffering in captivity today.
While this is certainly great news, Mexico needs to do more to end cruel and barbaric practices such as bull fighting, which is viewed as a “sport” as well as cock fighting and dog fighting. Animals aren’t here for our entertainment.
Omfg!! I hope they find the person who did this act of evil!! Poor kitty! I hope she is doing ok.
Wrong story.
Yayyyyyyyy! !!!!!!
SICK SADISTIC ANIMAL TERRORISM !!!!
SICK SADISTIC ANIMAL TERRORISM !!!!!
Mexico has done the humane thing for these creatures
HOORAY! WILL THE U.S. TAKE NOTICE?!?
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, SO VERY VERY MUCH ?
WITH TRUMP AS PRESIDENT?? WE’LL SEE PIGS FLY BEFORE THAT IDIOTIC MONSTER DOES ANYTHING – HE IS ROTTEN TO THE CORE!!!!!
Libertação animal ainda q tardia. Parem d usar animais.
Way to go Mexico I’m so proud of you!! Now lets hope other Countries will follow your lead.
Take care
I love you Mexico!
Bravo! People in government actually finally taking action to freeing these mammals in captivity. Love it great for Mexico. Bravo
!Muchas gracias, Ciudad de Mexico!
THANK YOU
“BRAVO”/ “CONGRATULATIONS” MEXICO !!!!!! A CREDIT TO THE WORLD OF NATURE…
thank you
Fantastic! Now if the USA would follow them.
Dido Debra!
A billion thank yous at last men/women of God.
A huge thank you to the Mexican officials who took this issue seriously and acted upon it. THANK YOU !!!!!!
FINALLY!! Politicians with a brain. AWESOME!!!
COMMENT
Thanks a lot.
Thankyou mexico so much lets hope others follow your lead
A big thank you to Mexico for acting on this. Wish we could say the same for the United States!
YAY. HARD WORK OF THOSE WORKING BEHIND THE CURTAINS HAVE PAID OFF. THANK YOU FOR HOW YOU SPEND YOUR TIME ON THIS PLANET TO SAVING WILDLIFE. YOU ARE TRUE HEROES!
Thanks Mexico ! Happy Dolphins and us
Thank God people are waking up. Any animal (not just ‘intelligent’ but ALL animals) deserve protection and safety measures. Let us love them all, even ‘unintelligent’ whatever that means. All animals matter. All are intelligent.
Gail is so right!
Awesome Mexico City!
I want to cry with joy – hope this is a message to the rest of the world
Let them have the life nature intended for them FREEDOM
WELL DONE ANOTHER COUNTRY DOING THE RIGHT THING FOR THESE CAPTIVE CREATURES . IT IS AN UNNATURAL LIFE FOR THEM AND THERE SHOULD BE A TOTAL BAN IN ALL COUNTRIES . THEY ARE MUCH BETTER OFF IN THE WILD .WHERE THEY SHOULD BE
Bravo! Mexico leads the way. Fantastic! See SeaWorld it can be done!
Way to go Mexico City!! Now to get other cities to do the same.????
Kudos to Mexico City.
I think that’s great news.. I really hope they stick to it