Mexico’s Captive Dolphins Need Your Help
![Captive dolphins at a Dolphin Discovery facility performing for paying customers. Day in and day out, this is their life.](https://www.dolphinproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Dolphin-Discovery-870x483.png)
Earlier this month, the office of Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava sent a “Notice of Termination of Lease” letter to Eduardo Albor, the president of Miami Seaquarium’s parent company, The Dolphin Company due to multiple and significant violations at the facility.
The letter states that the property upon which Miami Seaquarium occupies is to be vacated by April 21– ironically, a date that nearly coincides with Dolphin Project’s 54th birthday.
While the potential closure of a large, well-known captive facility is a huge win in the fight to shut down the captive dolphin trade, there are some key factors to keep in mind about Miami Seaquarium’s parent company.
“Empty The Tanks Mexico is working hard to change the laws that allow companies, such as The Dolphin Company to operate unpunished. It involves a great deal of lobbying and getting members of our society involved to create public pressure on legislators. These companies have gained power after decades of perpetuating these abuses. We will continue to grow, organize, and create stronger partnerships to change this awful reality in Mexico.” ~ Camila Jaber, Empty The Tanks Mexico
The Dolphin Company currently operates dozens of captive dolphin parks across the world, with the bulk of them located in Mexico, where they are based. Mexico is one of the most visited countries in the world, and is one of the countries with the highest number of captive dolphin facilities.
For years, Dolphin Project’s Empty The Tanks campaign has worked tirelessly to expose the ugly reality of dolphin captivity in Mexico. Together, we can help prevent dolphins from being exploited in tourism programs, such as those run by The Dolphin Company.
Related
Open Letter to the Government of Mexico
Dolphin Exploitation at Dolphin Discovery
![A Dolphin Discovery dolphin picks up trash and puts it into a garbage can as part of their training.](https://www.dolphinproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Dolphin-Trash.png)
A Dolphin Discovery dolphin picks up trash and puts it into a garbage can as part of their training. Credit: Dolphin Project/Empty The Tanks Mexico
![Injuries on dolphins’ rostrums are a common sight amongst the captive mammals participating in swim-with programs.](https://www.dolphinproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Dolphin-Discovery-injuries.png)
Injuries on dolphins’ rostrums are a common sight amongst the captive mammals participating in swim-with programs. Credit: Dolphin Project/Empty The Tanks Mexico
How You Can Help
✅ Learn more — Empty The Tanks Mexico
✅ Ask the following lawmakers to vote on protecting dolphins from captive exploitation (these accounts are on Instagram):
- President of the senate @analilia_rivera_rivera
- SEMARNAT leader @mary_luisa_ag
- Environment Commission @raulbccue @jatzpando
- Senators @beatrizparedesmx @alejandralagunes_ @manceramiguelmx @mayulimtzsimon @sasildeleon @rocioabreua<
✅ Sign this petition from Empty The Tanks Mexico asking that dolphins stop being exploited by the captive dolphin industry
✅ Sign this petition asking that Carnival cruise lines end all ties with captive dolphin facilities
Featured image: Captive dolphins at a Dolphin Discovery facility performing for paying customers. Day in and day out, this is their life. Credit: Dolphin Project/Empty The Tanks Mexico