Government officials have shut down the operations of a controversial dolphin attraction at the Barceló Riviera Maya, the host venue of ILLENIUM’s Ember Shores festival, following a month-long investigation, Mexico News Daily reports.
The move follows months of advocacy with a recent push from the festival’s organizers. The initial crackdown was triggered by a viral video showing a dolphin, Mincho, suffering a severe acrobatic injury after landing on concrete during a performance in January, along with reports of two dolphin deaths last year.
Citing inadequate conditions, a lack of proper permits and unauthorized activities, Profepa, Mexico’s environmental enforcement agency, reportedly found that the facility was in violation of multiple regulations. Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection Mariana Boy Tamborrell confirmed the shutdown on social media.
🚧 La Procuraduría Federal de Protección al Ambiente suspendió este día actividades en el delfinario del Hotel Barceló Riviera Maya, pues esta instalación no cuenta con la autorización de la Semarnat para realizar actividades de espectáculos con delfines. 🐬 @SEMARNAT_mx… pic.twitter.com/8aPHtyuVTb
— PROFEPA (@PROFEPA_Mx) March 11, 2025
The news follows our earlier report on Ember Shores’ efforts to investigate the dolphinarium. The festival faced pressure from fans and activists to take a stand against dolphin captivity as the facility’s practices became public.
While concerns remain over Mincho’s survival, Tamborrel stated that the dolphin has been relocated for monitoring. She also claimed that Profepa will continue to carry out inspections of all the dolphinariums across the country to ensure proper treatment.
Profepa’s decision establishes a precedent for stricter oversight of marine animal facilities in Mexico, prompting the enforcement of existing regulations and further inspections across the country.
“We support the investigation into this case and call for transparent inspections in all dolphinariums in the country,” said Eugenia Morales, Wildlife Campaigns Manager at World Animal Protection. “It’s time for this to be the last generation of dolphins used for entertainment in Mexico.”
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