Concerns Over Marine Mammal Welfare in Mexico
The recent reform aimed at abolishing marine mammal shows in Mexico has not only failed to ensure the welfare of animals involved in such activities but also appears to be breaching its commitment to end the breeding of cetaceans for entertainment purposes. The legislation, enacted in June 2025, amended the General Wildlife Law to prohibit the use of marine mammals—such as dolphins, sea lions, and orcas—in both fixed and travelling shows.
This law further stipulates the ban on capturing and breeding these species under intensive management, unless conducted for reintroduction, repopulation, or translocation initiatives. It mandates that cetaceans must reside in marine enclosures rather than concrete facilities, such as pools or ponds. When such housing is unfeasible, they are required to be kept in open installations that allow for water exchange from natural sources, whether by tidal flow or pumping systems.
Legislators have reassured the public that this reform, commonly referred to as the “Mincho Law,” would ensure that the marine mammals currently participating in shows would be the last generation subjected to such exploitation.
Evidence of Breach in Promises
However, recent instances suggest that these assurances are far from being realised. Veeleaf, a Mexican organisation advocating for the abolition of animal exploitation, has been investigating the case of “Gary,” a dolphin born in captivity following the enactment of the reform, who has begun a training programme for tourist interactions at Dolphin Discovery Puerto Aventuras, near Playa del Carmen in Quintana Roo.
This establishment is classified as an active commercial dolphinarium, housing various marine animals for the purpose of selling interactive experiences to the public. Veeleaf has monitored and filmed this facility for over a year and a half, consistently documenting the presence of 31 dolphins, including ‘Gioconda’ and ‘Gary’. Legal records from The Dolphin Company also indicate the presence of seven manatees and two sea lions at this location.
Gary was first identified by Veeleaf on November 19, 2025, although specific details regarding his date of birth remain unclear. Experts suggest he may have been born around that time, potentially slightly earlier. Information provided by Veeleaf indicates that Gary is the offspring of Gioconda, a female dolphin captured from Cuban waters in the Gulf of Mexico. Ceta-Base indicates that she later spent time at a rescue centre, likely the National Aquarium of Cuba, before being transferred to an unspecified Dolphin Discovery facility on November 30, 2000. Gioconda has given birth to at least four male calves in captivity between 2004 and 2014, named ‘Da Vinci’, ‘Atila’, ‘Carlo’, and ‘Fernando’.
Implications of Captivity on Dolphin Behaviour
Legal documents related to a bankruptcy filing by Leisure Investments Holdings LLC, the parent company of Dolphin Discovery, reveal that Atila is currently at Dolphin Discovery Puerto Aventuras, while Carlo is located at Dolphin Discovery Isla Mujeres. Fernando was previously at Dolphin Discovery Costa Maya, although that facility no longer operates as a dolphinarium. The whereabouts of Da Vinci remain unverified.
Veeleaf’s findings suggest that these dolphins may have endured experiences similar to those documented around Gary. Their multimedia evidence indicates that, while Gary and Gioconda maintain a close relationship, they are subjected to training methods that suppress their natural instincts in favour of enhanced human interaction and trick learning in exchange for food.
Observations show that during the initial five months of monitoring, Gioconda displayed protective maternal behaviour, attempting to shield her calf from unfamiliar experiences, such as human interaction or the use of a gastric tube, typically employed to monitor the health of captive dolphins or improve hydration. Despite their constant companionship, footage reveals Gary and Gioconda swimming in circles within concrete enclosures. While such behaviour may be linked to advanced hunting strategies in the wild, it is often associated with stress due to confined living conditions in captivity.
Turning Points in Dolphin Training
By the sixth month, noticeable changes occurred in the behaviours of both the dolphins and their trainers. As human interest in Gary grew, Gioconda appeared less perturbed by the situation, with Gary gaining confidence in this environment, where his feeding was contingent upon compliance with instructions.
The ninth month has been identified by the animal rights organisation as the “most critical period.” Gioconda resumed her regular interactions with tourists, while Gary seemed to recognise the need to follow commands for his survival. The last documented sighting of Gary and Gioconda at Dolphin Discovery Puerto Aventuras occurred on September 15. Since then, there has been no indication that they have been relocated. Dolphin Discovery has not responded to requests for comments.
Uncertain Future for Captive Dolphins
Gary’s situation is not an isolated case. In April of this year, a mere ten months after the introduction of the Mincho Law, Veeleaf reported the presence of two dolphin calves at Delphinus Xel-Há, another commercial dolphinarium in Quintana Roo. These calves are estimated to be around four to five months old as of late August, with their future remaining uncertain due to persistent ambiguities in the reform that hinder its enforcement.
Veeleaf has launched a petition that has garnered over 18,600 signatures, demanding effective implementation of the General Wildlife Law and amendments to the existing gaps that currently obstruct its enforcement. The organisation is also calling for greater transparency regarding the health status and future of the dolphins in captivity, alongside guarantees for specialised veterinary care.
“What we have documented illustrates that the captivity of dolphins is a systemic issue affecting hundreds of animals across Mexico. Therefore, this petition represents all dolphins held in captivity within our country. For them, a law that is not fully enforced does not alter their reality. Each passing day is another day in captivity,” concludes the organisation.