Ecobreves – MEXICO: Dolphins Mistreated and Killed in Captivity

By IPS Correspondents and - - Reprint | | Print |

MEXICO CITY, Sep 15 2007 (IPS) - Corruption and complicity of authorities allows some 20 dolphin aquariums to operate in Mexico, with more than half dying prematurely from pneumonia, stress and trauma from beatings. Although there is “chronic mistreatment in all senses of the word”, the dolphin tanks continue to operate as a result of corruption, bribes and favors, Yolanda Alaniz, co-author with Laura Rojas of the book “Delfinarios” published last week in Mexico, told Tierramérica.

The official count is about 270 dolphins living in captivity in Mexico, with 48 dying between 1997 and 2005, but the authors argue that the real total is higher. Their research cites several cases indicating that there is a very high mortality rate at the dolphin tanks.