Background on Ventura Park and Delfines
Ventura Park, situated in Cancún’s hotel zone, was once a popular attraction featuring dolphin shows among other marine life exhibits. However, the park announced its closure in January 2025 due to declining visitor numbers and changing attitudes towards keeping marine animals in captivity. Recently, concerns have arisen regarding the welfare of the dolphins still present in the park.
Profepa and Sema’s Intervention
Following a viral video on social media showcasing the deteriorating conditions of Ventura Park, including murky water in dolphin habitats, the Secretaría de Ecología y Medio Ambiente (Sema) of Quintana Roo and the Procuraduría Federal de Protección al Ambiente (Profepa) conducted an inspection.
Sema’s head, Óscar Rébora, and veterinarians from Profepa entered the park to assess the number of dolphins and their conditions. The inspection came after a denuncia on social media alleging the abandonment of at least five dolphins.
Legal Context and Recent Reforms
In August of this year, authorities announced operations in such establishments following a reform to the Ley General de Vida Silvestre. This reform, effective mid-2025, prohibits the reproduction of marine mammals in captivity and their use in performances. The reform was intended to ensure the well-being of these animals and facilitate their transition into conservation sanctuaries.
If the denunciations are confirmed, it would imply that authorities were unaware of the dolphins’ abandonment for almost a year post-reformation, despite the law’s supposed safeguards.
Legal Challenges by Delfinary Owners
Since the reform in June, various amparos (legal protections) have been filed by owners of numerous dolphinariums, claiming that the reform condemns them to closure and deprives captive dolphins of secure habitats for survival.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who conducted the inspection at Ventura Park? The Secretaría de Ecología y Medio Ambiente (Sema) of Quintana Roo and the Procuraduría Federal de Protección al Ambiente (Profepa) conducted the inspection.
- What prompted the inspection? A viral video on social media highlighting the poor conditions of Ventura Park, including murky water in dolphin habitats.
- What is the legal context surrounding this situation? A reform to the Ley General de Vida Silvestre prohibits marine mammal reproduction in captivity and their use in performances. This reform aimed to ensure animal welfare and facilitate their transition into conservation sanctuaries.
- Why are there legal challenges by dolphinarium owners? Owners have filed amparos claiming the reform condemns them to closure and deprives captive dolphins of secure habitats.
