The captivity of dolphins in dolphinariums is a topic that requires action, gathering and supporting the growing criticism from animal rights organizations and activists. A recently released video online highlights the stark reality of what can only be described as the imprisonment of these marine animals.
Filmed at the Barceló Maya Grand Resort, the video shows a dolphin having a tube inserted into its stomach to hydrate it, a common practice in water parks but one that is extremely harmful. Unlike land animals, dolphins do not drink water directly; instead, they obtain the necessary hydration from the fresh fish they consume in the wild.
However, in dolphinariums, the fish provided is frozen and thawed, losing much of its water content. To prevent dehydration, staff must artificially administer liquids to the dolphins, often through a gastric tube. While this procedure may seem harmless, it underscores a deeper issue: these animals are not meant to live in artificial environments.
There is nothing educational about these facilities. In the wild, dolphins travel tens of kilometers daily, hunt, socialize, and live in complex groups with sophisticated social dynamics. In dolphinariums, however, they are forced to swim in confined tanks, deprived of essential stimuli, and often subjected to physical and psychological stress. Scientific studies have shown that captivity can lead to abnormal behaviors, such as self-harm, and an increase in cortisol levels, the stress hormone.
Dozens of organizations have long condemned the conditions in which dolphins live in water parks, asserting that there is nothing educational or conservation-oriented about these facilities. Often, dolphinariums justify their existence by claiming they contribute to public awareness and scientific research.
Most captive dolphins cannot be reintroduced to the wild, and their exploitation for entertainment purposes continues to generate profits for the tourism industry. In recent years, several countries have banned dolphin shows and the capture of dolphins from the wild for commercial purposes. However, the problem persists, especially in tourist locations where dolphinariums continue to attract visitors unaware of the suffering hidden behind the performances.
The question is: is it really worth maintaining these facilities for human entertainment? Or is it time to completely rethink our relationship with these extraordinary animals, promoting more ethical alternatives, such as marine sanctuaries that genuinely aim for their release back into the wild, finally free to swim in their natural habitats?
